Suwon City to Operate 'Spring Wildfire Prevention Headquarters' Until May

The city of Suwon in Gyeonggi Province will establish and operate the 'Comprehensive Spring Wildfire Prevention Headquarters' until May 15.

This year, Suwon plans to strengthen initial wildfire suppression within the golden time of 30 minutes by utilizing the 'Intelligent Wildfire Prevention Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Platform.'

Using 22 intelligent wildfire surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) (18 in Gwanggyosan, 4 in Chilbosan), wildfires will be detected 24 hours a day, and when a wildfire is discovered, a text message will be sent to the person in charge.

A total of 199 personnel, including public officials and wildfire monitors, will work at five wildfire prevention headquarters established in the Park and Greenery Office and the park and greenery departments of four districts.

Three wildfire watchtowers and 27 outposts will be installed and operated on major hiking trails of Gwanggyosan, Chilbosan, and Cheongmyeongsan, which are popular among hikers, to monitor wildfire risk factors. They have secured 8,182 firefighting equipment items, including 2 wildfire extinguishing facilities, 15 wildfire vehicles, and 1,315 backpack pumps.

Suwon City Hall

Additionally, a wildfire suppression helicopter will be operated for initial firefighting, and wildfire monitors will continuously patrol major forest areas to crack down on and educate about burning activities. The wildfire helicopter is scheduled to conduct educational flights over forest areas 2 to 3 times a week.

Sixty-six wildfire reporting devices used by wildfire monitors during patrols will be operated. Upon wildfire detection, voice, video, and location information are transmitted immediately to the situation control system for rapid response.

Suwon has established a wildfire prevention cooperation system with neighboring local governments such as Yongin, Hwaseong, and Ansan, as well as related agencies. In addition, professional training is provided to staff and wildfire monitors in cooperation with specialized wildfire institutions.

Meanwhile, Suwon has designated the Lunar New Year holiday period from January 25 to 30 as a 'Special Wildfire Prevention Period' to strengthen the emergency system. A wildfire situation duty team composed of two-person units will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.