Jeonbuk Fire Department Deploys 'Citizen Lifeguard Team' at Summer Water Play Areas

Operation of 12 Sites Including Rescue Services for 45 Days Starting from the 5th

"Water play safety is supported by 119."

The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Headquarters (Chief Lee Osuk) is operating the '119 Citizen Water Rescue Team' at 12 major water play locations in the province for safe summer water activities.

According to Jeonbuk Fire on the 5th, from that day until the 18th of next month, for 45 days, they will protect human lives and waterfront safety around valleys and rivers where accidents are likely. The deployed personnel consist of a total of 76 people, including 40 firefighters and 36 civilians per day, operating 15 rescue equipment units.

The inauguration ceremony of the '119 Citizen Water Rescue Team' at Unilam-Banilam Valley, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk, 5 days ago.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Fire Department]

The Citizen Water Rescue Team is composed of firefighters and civilian volunteers who carry out ▲patrol activities ▲safety guidance ▲promotion of water play safety rules. They operate at a total of 12 locations: 7 beaches, 3 valleys, and 2 rivers in the province. They are assigned to 7 fixed locations and 5 patrol areas.

The rescue team began activities on the 5th in line with the opening of four beaches including Jinan Unilambanilam Valley and Buan Gosapo Beach. They will sequentially be deployed at Seonyudo Beach in Gunsan on the 10th and Baemsagol Valley in Namwon on the 13th.

According to data from the provincial fire headquarters, last year the 119 Citizen Water Rescue Team performed 4 rescues, 211 on-site emergency treatments, and 708 safety measures. Their on-site response was notable, such as swiftly rescuing a patient who slipped and fractured a pelvis while playing in the water at Baemsagol Valley in Namwon City on July 29 last year.

Chief Lee Osuk of the Fire Headquarters urged, "Please be sure to wear a life jacket when playing in the water and enjoy water activities in verified safe locations. Especially, children should play under the supervision of guardians, and water play after drinking alcohol is very dangerous, so please refrain from it."