The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters is joining hands with related organizations to strengthen fire prevention and response systems in order to reduce casualties caused by apartment fires.
The Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 11th that it signed a business agreement with the Housing Managers Association and specialized apartment management companies to enhance cooperation for fire prevention and response.
According to this agreement, apartment-related personnel such as building managers, fire safety managers, and security guards will actively carry out fire prevention activities and initial response measures even during normal times. Experiential training will also be provided to apartment personnel to strengthen their initial response capabilities.
Additionally, precautions for using electric heating devices and evacuation guidelines during fires will be continuously promoted to residents. To this end, promotional media closely related to residents' daily lives, such as digital video devices within apartment complexes and elevator media boards, will be actively utilized.
In particular, a campaign titled “Check and Evacuate” and “Make Your Home Evacuation Plan” will be conducted in cooperation with local broadcasting stations.
The project to install three types of rooftop evacuation facilities for apartments (rooftop door guide signs, evacuation guide lines, and anti-fall fences), which has been underway since 2023 to reduce casualties caused by fires, will also continue.
Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters is conducting training to prepare for apartment fires. Photo by Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters
Furthermore, based on an analysis showing that people with disabilities accounted for the highest proportion of apartment fire fatalities over the past five years, the support project for firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers and fire alarms will be expanded targeting vulnerable groups including elderly living alone, people with severe disabilities, and multicultural families.
Jo Sun-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "Apartment fires have a high potential to cause casualties due to the nature of multi-family housing where many residents live, so thorough prevention and prompt response are necessary. We will strengthen cooperation with related organizations and do our best to protect the safety of residents by expanding experiential training and promotional activities."
Meanwhile, over the past five years, 3,902 fires occurred in apartments within the province, accounting for 9.3% of all fires. Casualties totaled 411 people, including 36 deaths, representing 14% of all casualties.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
