Fire Agency Takes Typhoon Precautions... Deploys Firefighting Forces in Advance from Warning Stage

Advanced Equipment and Firefighting Forces Including Off-Road Fire Trucks Deployed
Situation Response Team Formed Even Before Central Communication Unit Activation

The National Fire Agency has strengthened its disaster response posture to minimize casualties caused by natural disasters such as typhoons passing through the Korean Peninsula this year.

On the 19th, the National Fire Agency announced that it took this measure because the average sea surface temperature in the coastal waters during the summer has been rising recently, increasing the likelihood that typhoons will remain over the Korean Peninsula for a longer period. The average sea surface temperature in the coastal waters rose from 20.6°C in 2009, 21.7°C in 2014, and 22.5°C in 2019 to 23.9°C in 2023.

The large-scale damage caused by natural disasters last summer was also a factor. Following major accidents such as the Osong underground underpass disaster and the landslide in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk, the number of casualties from summer disasters was recorded at 90.

To minimize damage caused by wind and flood disasters this year, the National Fire Agency plans to proactively deploy disaster-specialized advanced equipment such as large-capacity water spray systems and fire trucks for rough terrain, as well as firefighting forces including the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters and Special Rescue Unit, to areas at risk of typhoon damage from the weather advisory stage.

They will also engage in proactive situation management and response following the issuance of weather advisories. When the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Level 1 is issued, even before the Central Emergency Rescue Control Team (Jungtongdan) is activated, a 'Situation Countermeasures Team' will be formed to hold meetings, and if necessary, the Jungtongdan will be activated and a firefighting mobilization order will be issued. The Situation Countermeasures Team is normally operated centered on the National Fire Agency’s Emergency Response Team, and depending on the level of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, additional teams such as the Information Support Team, Situation Reporting Team, and Planning Support Team will be progressively formed to support cooperation with related agencies and disaster response by cities and provinces. When Levels 2 to 3 of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters are issued, the Jungtongdan, led by the Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, will be activated, and an on-site situation manager will be dispatched to the city or provincial headquarters.

Furthermore, they will strengthen the cooperation system by quickly transmitting and sharing initial disaster situations using the National Disaster Management System (NDMS), Disaster Safety Communication Network contact system (PS-LTE), and related organizations such as local governments.

Lee Young-pal, Director of the 119 Response Bureau at the National Fire Agency, said, "We will make every effort to reduce typhoon damage this year through proactive response," and urged, "Citizens should also promptly move to safe places when typhoon advisories are issued and thoroughly take preemptive measures to prepare buildings and vehicles against strong winds and flooding."