Calls for Investigation into Fatal Wildfire Incident
at Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong
The Gyeongnam Branch of the National Public Officials Labor Union called for a major overhaul of the current system, referencing the recent wildfire response process in locations such as Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, on the 21st of last month.
On the afternoon of the 9th, the union held a press conference at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Press Center and condemned, "Civil servants and wildfire suppression personnel were recklessly deployed at the Sancheong wildfire site, where flames rapidly spread due to strong winds."
The National Public Officials Labor Union Gyeongnam Branch is condemning the deployment of public officials to wildfire sites and urging improvements in wildfire suppression systems as well as an investigation into the fatal accident at the wildfire site in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong County. Photo by Se Ryeong Lee
They explained, "Local government officials, who are responsible for administrative duties, do not typically receive physical training like the Korea Forest Service or the National Fire Agency, nor are they deployed to the field in special gear during fires. They are only equipped with the standard equipment provided by the Korea Forest Service."
They continued, "Local government officials are primarily responsible for preventive activities such as wildfire monitoring and, when a fire occurs, for monitoring residual fires and post-fire cleanup. Do not forcibly mobilize local government officials, who lack expertise, to wildfire sites," they demanded.
Branch Chief Kang Sudong stated, "When a wildfire breaks out, civil servants are sent to the scene in their own shoes and clothes, without any protective gear. Even tasks like disseminating information, evacuating residents, and providing relief supplies are overwhelming, yet they are forced to climb burning mountains with no protection."
He added, "Local government officials are not all-rounders, and mayors, county governors, and provincial governors are not wildfire experts either. The number of professional suppression and prevention personnel, such as the Korea Forest Service airborne and special suppression teams, should be increased by more than tenfold."
He also demanded, "Revise the Forest Protection Act so that the head of the Korea Forest Service leads, or transfer all wildfire-related duties to the National Fire Agency, which has fire stations and volunteer firefighter resources, to ensure year-round professional wildfire suppression."
He further emphasized the need for a significant increase in government funding for wildfires, including the introduction of advanced suppression equipment such as suppression aircraft and drones, as well as the expansion of large helicopters and safety protective gear.
The National Public Officials Union Gyeongnam Branch displayed the backpack pumps, bags, pants, safety helmets, rakes, and other firefighting equipment provided to public officials deployed at the scene during the forest fire in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun. Photo by Lee Seryung
Jang Jeomsik, chairman of the Changnyeong-gun Public Officials Union, questioned, "Wildfire suppression should be carried out by trained professionals equipped with the necessary expertise and equipment. Why should administrative experts like civil servants have to go into the mountains to fight fires?"
He added, "Mobilizing public officials, who were hired to handle civil complaints and implement policies, for wildfire suppression treats them as if they are all-purpose problem solvers. Civil servants are not wildfire suppression experts," he appealed.
The union demanded a specialized research service on wildfire disaster preparedness by the Korea Forest Service and Gyeongnam Province, the suspension of local government officials' deployment to wildfire sites, and the transfer of wildfire suppression duties to the National Fire Agency.
They also urged the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency and the Changwon branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor to investigate the incident in which one Changnyeong-gun civil servant and three wildfire suppression personnel died, and five suppression personnel were injured while fighting the wildfire in Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
