Gwangju Fire Department Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Parking Around Fire Hydrants

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan City Fire Safety Headquarters announced on the 8th that it is operating the 119 Enforcement Team to eradicate chronic safety negligence practices such as illegal parking and obstruction of fire vehicle dispatch.

The 119 Enforcement Team is composed of 32 members across 10 teams from the city Fire Safety Headquarters and the jurisdictional fire stations, conducting surprise inspections year-round, with plans for future expansion.

First, acts that obstruct firefighting activities and violate safety regulations are defined as four major illegal acts: ▲ illegal parking within 5 meters of a fire hydrant ▲ violation of the obligation to yield to fire trucks ▲ blocking emergency exits ▲ obstructing fire safety facilities, and active measures are taken against these.

In particular, areas with red pavement markings around fire hydrants are designated as fire warning zones, large fire-vulnerable targets, and densely populated multi-use establishments, where fires could cause significant casualties, so focused inspections are conducted.

Additionally, acts that hinder dispatch such as failing to yield to fire trucks or cutting in, blocking or damaging emergency exits and installing obstacles that hinder evacuation, and cutting off power to fire safety facilities or leaving them in a malfunctioning state are also subject to enforcement.

The city Fire Safety Headquarters plans to take strict measures such as imposing fines according to relevant laws if violations are detected during enforcement.

Hwang Gi-seok, head of the city Fire Safety Headquarters, said, “Citizens’ safety awareness is like a conscience that can protect our families’ lives and property from fire,” and added, “We will protect citizens’ happiness and safety through continuous enforcement until illegal acts are eradicated.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.