Gangwon Province Invests KRW 12.5 Billion Over 7 Years in Fire Safety for Elderly and Disabled Facilities

Kim Jin-tae: "Prevention Is the Best Approach to Safety"
Province Accelerates Replacement of Combustible Exterior Walls in Fire-Prone Facilities
On-Site Inspection of Nursing Home in Wonju City
Fire Safety Facility Improvement Project Underway, Including Replacement with Non-Combustible Exterior Walls

Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, visited a nursing home in Panbu-myeon, Wonju City on January 14 to inspect the disaster preparedness status, including fire prevention measures, and to listen to feedback from the field.

Fire Safety Facility Improvement Support Project for Buildings Used by Safety-Vulnerable Groups. Provided by Gangwon Province

This on-site inspection was conducted to preemptively assess the fire safety conditions of facilities used by safety-vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities, who may face difficulties evacuating quickly in the event of a fire. The inspection was prompted by increased fire risks due to higher use of heating devices as the winter cold persists.

The facilities subject to inspection include nursing homes, residential facilities for persons with disabilities, medical rehabilitation centers, and childcare centers-facilities primarily used by safety-vulnerable groups.

On this day, Governor Kim personally checked key safety features such as emergency evacuation routes and fire extinguishers to ensure prompt response in the event of a disaster like a fire. He also reviewed the progress of the fire safety facility improvement project currently being implemented for nursing homes.

The fire safety facility improvement project was launched in response to the risks of combustible exterior walls highlighted by the Jecheon Sports Center fire in December 2017. Since 2018, the province has swiftly enacted the 'Facility Improvement Support Ordinance for Buildings Used by Safety-Vulnerable Groups' and has been actively pursuing the project.

Over the past seven years, the province has invested a total of 12.5 billion won in 84 facilities across 16 cities and counties, supporting measures such as replacing combustible exterior walls with non-combustible materials, installing sprinklers, reinforcing circuit breakers, replacing outdated wiring, and expanding evacuation equipment. This year as well, 580 million won has been allocated to continue the project.

The nursing home in Panbu-myeon, Wonju City, which was visited on this occasion, is also a beneficiary of the fire safety facility improvement project. A total of 620 million won has been invested to replace combustible exterior walls with non-combustible ones, thereby enhancing fire safety.

Governor Kim encouraged the staff at the nursing home, stating, "In addition to thorough facility inspections, it is essential to have a well-established evacuation system for the elderly in advance." He added, "Since prevention is the best approach to all safety accidents, we will continue to implement the fire safety facility improvement project so that safety-vulnerable groups can use these facilities with peace of mind, free from concerns about fire."