Alternative Service 'Mandatory Fire Brigade' Ends After Over 20 Years... Gyeonggi Fire Department Disbands on the 22nd

Cho Sun-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, is taking a commemorative photo with attendees after attending the Mandatory Fire Brigade disbandment ceremony on the 22nd.

The medical fire brigade, which has been a pillar of public safety alongside firefighters for over 20 years through fire prevention, suppression, and rescue activities, is disappearing into history.

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters held a disbandment ceremony for the medical fire brigade on the 22nd at the Gyeonggi-do National Safety Experience Center located in Osan.

The ceremony was attended by Cho Seon-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, fire officials, firefighters who were former medical fire brigade members, and 16 members of the 73rd medical fire brigade class who are scheduled to be discharged next month.

The medical fire brigade was established following a fire accident in Hongje-dong, Seoul, in 2001, which resulted in the deaths of six firefighters.

As a system of alternative service performing firefighting duties instead of military service, the program was abolished due to reasons such as a decrease in military service resources, making the 73rd class the last cohort.

Since the first class enlisted on May 23, 2002, until the 73rd class is discharged next month on the 13th, a total of 2,104 members have been active at disaster sites such as fires.

The disbandment ceremony began with the viewing of a commemorative video titled "Goodbye to the 'Hot Hearts' of Gyeonggi-do Medical Fire Brigade Who Protected the Lives and Property of the People."

Cho Seon-ho, head of the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, presented commemorative plaques to Private Lee Byung-hyun of the 1st class and Sub-firefighter Hong Seok-chang of the 73rd class, and discharge certificates to the remaining 15 members of the 73rd class.

Following this, a unveiling ceremony was held for two commemorative monuments (4.9m wide by 2.1m high) directly created by the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters medical fire brigade.

The monuments, created last September by 65 medical fire brigade members of Gyeonggi Fire, symbolize the activities of the medical fire brigade through two works titled "Medical Firefighters Protecting the Lives and Property of the People" and "We Remember the Medical Fire Brigade," and honor the contributions of the 2,104 medical firefighters who served over 21 years with a commemorative plaque.

Han Gyu-yeon, representative of the medical fire brigade, expressed in his commemorative speech, "Above all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Gyeonggi Fire officials who helped me to be discharged in good health. Although our bodies leave the firefighting organization, in our hearts there will always be the proud and passionate spirit of Gyeonggi Fire that served the residents. I hope the medical fire brigade remains forever in everyone's memory."

Cho Seon-ho, head of the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "For over 20 years, the medical firefighters have played an indispensable role in the understaffed firefighting organization. To the last 73rd class members who will be discharged next month, I urge you not to forget that you are proud alumni of the medical fire brigade and to embark on a vigorous journey toward your dreams as you return to society."