Winter Vulnerable Facilities 'Fire Safety' Focused Management... Activation of Highest-Level On-Site Response System

Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters Strengthens Fire Safety Measures Through February Following November Fire Prevention Month
"39% of Nationwide Fire Fatalities Occur in Winter" ... Prioritizing Citizen Life Protection
Unannounced Inspections of Emergency Exits and Fire Facilities in Multi-use Buildings ... Special Fire Inspections for High-rise Buildings

On the afternoon of the 30th of last month, a firefighting helicopter was conducting extinguishing operations near Jokduribong Peak in Bukhansan, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has designated the period until the end of February next year as the "Winter Fire Safety Measures Implementation Period" and will promote comprehensive fire prevention safety measures, including the pre-removal of fire risk factors. In addition, during November, the "Fire Prevention Emphasis Month," fire prevention promotional activities will be carried out with the goal of creating a safe living environment free from fire.

According to the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters on the 5th, the average annual number of fires over the past three years was 6,075, of which winter fires (December to February) accounted for 1,955 cases, or 32.1% of the total. Among the fires that occurred in winter, 973 cases (about half, 49.8%) occurred in residential facilities, and by cause, negligence (such as leaving fire unattended) accounted for 1,108 cases, or 56.7%.

Also, among the 127 fire-related deaths over the past three years, 49 deaths (38.6%) occurred in winter, and 74 deaths (58.3%) occurred in residential facilities among all fire-related fatalities.

To strengthen fire safety management of vulnerable facilities this winter, the city will thoroughly guide the pre-removal and inspection of fire risk factors for fire-vulnerable targets such as traditional markets and nursing hospitals, as well as key management targets such as high-rise buildings and apartment complexes, and will also strengthen special investigations and patrol activities by fire stations.

Consulting led by fire stations will also be conducted until February next year to establish voluntary safety inspections at sales facilities, lodging facilities, nursing hospitals, transportation facilities, cinemas, and others.

The "Fire Safety Care" service for socially vulnerable groups will also be strengthened. Joint safety inspections with related organizations will be conducted in 12 areas of jjokbang (small rooms) with 3,778 households, 19 areas of residential vinyl houses with 349 households, 3 areas of prostitution establishments with 247 households, and 12 areas of unauthorized houses with 1,338 households.

To reduce fire damage in vulnerable residential areas, the free distribution of fire safety equipment such as residential fire alarms and fire extinguishers will be expanded, and for multi-use facilities, a total of 96 personnel in 48 teams from the 119 Mobile Inspection Team will be deployed to conduct surprise inspections on emergency exit closures/locks, power and valve shutdowns of fire facilities, and other violations.

The Fire & Disaster Headquarters has also prioritized protecting citizens' lives and will operate the highest-level on-site response system to prevent large-scale fires, fully deploying equipment and personnel including 777 fire trucks, 3 fire helicopters, 16 fireboats, and 31 drones throughout the winter. During year-end and New Year holidays, cold waves, and other abnormal weather conditions, "Special Fire Alert Duty" will also be conducted.

Kim Si-cheol, Head of Prevention at the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters, said, "We will prioritize preventing large fires and casualties by strengthening focused fire safety management and voluntary safety management functions for vulnerable facilities in winter and establishing a proactive disaster response posture."

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