Emphasis on Expanding Drone Utilization
and Advancing Firefighting Equipment
Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok is presiding over the Jeollanam-do Special Fire Prevention Measures Inspection Meeting in preparation for Cheongmyeong and Hansik at the Jeonnam Eastern Government Complex Special Fire Prevention Headquarters on March 31. Provided by Jeonnam Province
Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, recently visited the Eastern Government Complex's Special Headquarters for Wildfire Prevention to review special measures in preparation for Cheongmyeong and Hansik, and emphasized the need to develop new strategies utilizing advanced equipment such as drones in response to the recent trend of rapidly spreading large-scale wildfires.
This inspection was carried out to strengthen the rapid response system as the national wildfire disaster crisis alert remains at the 'Severe' level, and the risk of wildfires is increasing due to continued dry weather and strong winds.
During the meeting, seven departments attended to share special wildfire prevention measures and discuss response plans by department, particularly to prevent large-scale wildfires during the Cheongmyeong and Hansik periods when simultaneous wildfires frequently occur. The departments included the Provincial Safety Office (overall disaster management), Public Relations Office (overall publicity), Health and Welfare Bureau (evacuation of residents from social welfare facilities), Agriculture and Livestock Food Bureau (crackdown on burning agricultural by-products), Culture Promotion Bureau (protection of cultural assets), Agricultural Technology Institute (shredding of agricultural by-products), and Fire Headquarters (cooperation in firefighting).
Jeollanam-do plans to make every effort to prevent wildfires during Cheongmyeong, Hansik, and the tree-planting season, when the number of visitors to the mountains and grave sites is expected to increase. The main measures include: ▲expanding restricted mountain access zones ▲prohibiting possession of flammable materials at forest work sites ▲intensively promoting the shredding of agricultural by-products ▲monitoring blind spots using drones ▲designating provincial and city/county directors as on-site support officers, and operating mobile inspection teams until the wildfire risk is eliminated.
In addition, to reduce blind spots in wildfire monitoring and enable rapid initial response to nighttime wildfires, 696 'Jeonnamsanae' monitors and 28 nighttime 'rapid response teams' consisting of 179 personnel will be deployed to maintain wildfire readiness until 10 p.m.
To prevent the loss of temples and cultural assets due to large-scale wildfires, 106 temples holding state heritage will undergo special inspections, and special management plans are being prepared for five major temples. A pre-evacuation system for social welfare facilities will also be established to protect the lives and property of residents.
Governor Kim Yungrok stated, "The recent large-scale wildfires in Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk showed new patterns of damage in terms of scale, scope, and speed of spread that we have not experienced before," and instructed, "It is now time to develop new wildfire prevention and response measures that match these new patterns."
Previously, on March 25, Governor Kim Yungrok issued a public appeal to residents for spring wildfire prevention and has personally overseen the Special Headquarters for Wildfire Prevention since March 29, inspecting wildfire-prone areas such as Myungchi Village in Bukha-myeon, Jangseong, and Wonyul-ri Village in Geumseong-myeon, Damyang.
On this day, in addition to reviewing wildfire countermeasures, Governor Kim also addressed overall provincial affairs under the Eastern Headquarters, including jobs, investment attraction, and culture. Key topics discussed were: ▲application for designation of Yeosu Petrochemical Industrial Complex as an employment crisis area ▲trends in food company investment agreements ▲plans for attracting investment to overcome the crisis at Yeosu Industrial Complex ▲progress on the large-scale entry of Costco. Other major discussions included ▲holding the Jangheung Nobel Literary City Vision Declaration Ceremony ▲response to the Samdosugun Command controversy ▲progress on the third Yeosun Incident report and publicity campaign.
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