'Gyeonggi-do Without Temple Fires'... Gyeonggi Fire Department's Comprehensive Measures Established

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters is preparing and implementing a comprehensive fire prevention plan for temples ahead of 'Buddha's Birthday' next month.

On the 23rd, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced that by the 9th of next month, it will introduce a '1:1 Safety Officer System' by assigning fire officers to each of the 364 traditional temples in the province for on-site inspections as part of the fire prevention measures for traditional temples.

First, among 105 traditional temples and 259 general temples in the province, fire stations will select temples for joint inspections with local governments and conduct fire safety checks, including inspections of defective fire facilities.

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters will prepare and implement a comprehensive plan to prevent temple fires ahead of Buddha's Birthday next month.

Additionally, Cho Seon-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, along with fire chiefs from frontline fire stations, will visit temples to inspect facility safety management and provide education on initial fire response and evacuation procedures through fire safety guidance.

In particular, a 1:1 Safety Officer System will be introduced by assigning fire officers to major temples to conduct on-site inspections and urge safety management among related personnel.

Cho Seon-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "We will deploy firefighting forces in advance around temples with wooden cultural assets or major temples hosting large-scale Buddha's Birthday events, and maintain an emergency response system with all staff to ensure rapid initial response in case of an incident. We ask temples to be especially cautious when using fire sources such as candles, electricity, and gas."

Meanwhile, from 2019 to 2023, a total of 30 temple fires occurred in the province, resulting in 2 deaths and 2 injuries. Property damage amounted to 950 million won. The most common cause of fires was electrical factors (50%). All fires that resulted in fatalities were suspected arson cases.