"Electric Vehicle Fire Suppression"... Jeonbuk Fire Department Sweats It Out in Response Training

Real-World Inspection at Palbok LH Apartment Underground Parking Lot

The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Headquarters (Chief Lee Osuk) announced on the 20th that it successfully completed the 'READY Korea 4th Electric Vehicle Fire Response Drill' held at Palbok LH Apartments in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju City, and The May Hotel.

According to Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters, the drill aimed to establish a comprehensive response system considering the characteristics and potential spread of electric vehicle fires. At the intergovernmental level, 590 personnel from 48 agencies and organizations and 62 pieces of equipment were mobilized.

On the 20th, Jeonbuk Fire Department conducted the 'READY Korea 4th Electric Vehicle Fire Response Training' at Palbok LH Apartments and The May Hotel in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si. Photo by Jeonbuk Fire Department

The scenario of this drill assumed a fire starting from a battery ignition of an electric vehicle charging in an underground parking lot, which then spread sequentially to nearby vehicles and facilities, and further expanded to The May Hotel nearby due to strong winds. Notably, the drill included conditions similar to a real situation, such as the sprinkler being set to malfunction and not operate just before the fire occurred.

At the early stage of the fire, the Fire Headquarters initiated reports from the apartment's self-fire brigade and supported the evacuation of residents. The 119 comprehensive situation room quickly disseminated information and dispatched firefighting forces, deploying special equipment (unmanned destruction water truck, upward spraying device, suffocation fire suppression cover) to effectively extinguish the electric vehicle fire. Subsequently, high-rise evacuees were rescued, and an on-site emergency medical center was operated. The emergency rescue and medical support system was also inspected in preparation for a large number of casualties.

Chief Lee Osuk stated, "The READY Korea 4th drill was an opportunity to once again raise awareness of the importance of fire response to the increasingly frequent electric vehicle fires." He added, "Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters will do its best to protect the safety of the residents through practical drills prepared for various disaster situations."