The Korea Forest Service and the Ministry of National Defense are strengthening their mutual cooperation in wildfire suppression activities.
On July 9, the Korea Forest Service announced that it would enhance collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense in areas such as sharing information on wildfire lines during nighttime wildfires and the initial deployment of wildfire suppression resources, in order to respond more effectively to extreme weather, nighttime wildfires, and large-scale wildfire situations.
The two agencies share the view that wildfire disasters are also security situations, and plan to ensure that military assets can be actively deployed on site from the early stages of a wildfire to enable rapid suppression of large-scale wildfires.
To this end, the Ministry of National Defense plans to pre-arrange around 40 helicopters as immediately deployable assets, with additional helicopters designated as reserve forces. In addition, water-dropping training will be provided so that military helicopter pilots can operate effectively at wildfire sites, and the Korea Forest Service will support professional instructors to enhance the practical effectiveness of the training.
Previously, following large-scale wildfires in the Yeongnam region, the Korea Forest Service and the Ministry of National Defense have been exploring ways to utilize military assets for wildfire suppression. On April 24, the two agencies established a consultative body for wildfire suppression cooperation, with participation from director-level officials.
They also formed working groups to carry out detailed tasks in each area, holding a total of 11 meetings, discussions, and on-site inspections for mounting water tanks on Air Force transport aircraft between May 9 and July 2.
In this process, the two agencies agreed to implement a pilot project for an aerial firefighting system (MAFFS) by equipping Air Force C-130J transport aircraft with water tanks for wildfire suppression, and to share information on wildfire lines during nighttime wildfires by utilizing military intelligence assets in extreme weather conditions.
Lee Yongkwon, Director of Forest Disaster Control at the Korea Forest Service, said, "The strengthened cooperation between the Korea Forest Service and the Ministry of National Defense is a model case of integrated management and mutual support at the pan-government level for responding to wildfire disasters."
Lee Gapsu, Director of Logistics Management at the Ministry of National Defense, stated, "The military recognizes that wildfires are disaster security situations, and will maintain a collaborative relationship with the Korea Forest Service to strengthen the government's disaster response capabilities and improve related systems."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
