Donation of Hydrogen Electric Bus for Firefighter Rest in Jeju Island
Foundation Established for Continuous Support... Collaboration on Technology Development Also Planned
Hyundai Motor Company is donating hydrogen fuel cell buses where firefighters in the Jeju region can rest. Considering the regional characteristics where long hours of on-site standby are common, focusing more on rescue and relief activities than fire suppression, the interior has been designed not only for rest but also to serve as an on-site command center. As Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun personally pledged unwavering support for the "national heroes," the firefighters, the company is expected to continue its support policies for firefighters steadily.
On the 27th, Hyundai Motor Group held a 'Firefighter Recovery Support Hydrogen Bus Delivery Ceremony' at the Haengwon Hydrogen Water Electrolysis Demonstration Complex in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City. Attendees included Chairman Chung Eui-sun, Hyundai Motor President Jang Jae-hoon, Fire Agency Chief Nam Hwa-young, Jeju Provincial Government Deputy Governor Kim Ae-sook, Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters Chief Go Min-ja, about 30 firefighters from the Jeju region, and Park Il-jun, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Chung Eui-sun: "Unlimited Support for National Heroes"... Firefighter-Optimized Specifications
Chairman Chung said, "I have deep respect for the firefighters who rush to the scene of battle without hesitation every moment to protect the lives of the people," adding, "Hyundai Motor Group has carefully considered its role as a mobility company to ensure the safety of firefighters and, reflecting various opinions from on-site firefighters, decided to support a disaster site-tailored recovery support vehicle."
He continued, "I hope firefighters can rest with clean air in the small fuel cell vehicle, which was produced by consolidating Hyundai Motor Group's hydrogen technology to perfectly suit Jeju, the land of the hydrogen society vision," emphasizing, "Hyundai Motor Group will not spare interest and support so that the heroes who create a safe daily life for the people can carry out their original duties safely without exhaustion."
The recovery support vehicle supported by Hyundai Motor is a premium special-purpose bus based on Hyundai Motor Group’s mobile office, the ‘Universe Mobile Office,’ equipped with convenience and focused rest facilities. After several discussions with the Fire Agency, the design and engineering of the interior and exterior, convenience features, and internal space layout were customized to meet the demands of frontline firefighters.
In particular, the vehicle delivered to Jeju Island was produced based on a zero-emission eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). Unlike inland areas, Jeju’s characteristics require long hours of on-site standby for marine rescue and relief activities in disaster areas caused by heavy rain and typhoons rather than large-scale fire suppression such as forest fires. It is explained that the vehicle can perform the role of an on-site command center and meeting room without emitting pollutants.
On the 15th of last month, firefighters from the Jeju area are taking a commemorative photo with the firefighter recovery support hydrogen bus donated by Hyundai Motor Group near the CFI Energy Future Hall in Gujwa-eup, Jeju. (Photo by Hyundai Motor)
Consistent Support Since Chairman Chung Mong-koo’s Era
Hyundai Motor Group has consistently shown interest in supporting firefighters. The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation, established with personal funds from Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo of Hyundai Motor Group, has been providing scholarships to children of firefighters who died or were injured in the line of duty since 2012. Over 12 years, 2,166 children of firefighters have benefited.
To prevent accidents involving eco-friendly vehicles and to train for fire response, educational vehicles have also been supported. In March, a three-year agreement was signed with the Fire Agency, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and five major universities to jointly develop firefighting technology for electric vehicle fire response, continuing cooperation in ▲fundamental technology development ▲field application technology development ▲institutionalization research.
This firefighter vehicle support plan started with Chairman Chung’s active proposal. At last year’s Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry '1st Together Sharing Project' event, it was announced that eight recovery support vehicles would be donated nationwide for firefighters at disaster sites. So far, vehicles have been delivered to regions including Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, Incheon, Jeonbuk, Ulsan, and Chungnam. The eighth and final vehicle was donated to Jeju on this day. Additional firefighter recovery support vehicles will be donated to Daegu and Chungbuk regions in the future. Vehicles and rehabilitation equipment will also be provided to the National Fire Hospital, the first of its kind in Korea, scheduled to open in 2025 in the Chungbuk Innovation City.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
