Firefighting Veteran of 31 Years, Chief Choi Taeyoung: "It's Time to Prepare for 'Post-Corona' Daily Life Recovery"

Choi Tae-young, Head of Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters, "Since taking office in December last year, spent in extreme tension responding to COVID-19... Fully committed to preparing for the post-COVID era"
Strengthening prevention measures tailored to megacity features like super-tall buildings and underground structures
Operating smart disaster response system... Plans to upgrade the 'Seoul Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Center' system

Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, is explaining his reflections and future plans during the six months since his inauguration in an interview with Asia Economy at the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 5th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] "Since taking office in December last year, the first half of this year was spent in an extremely tense state, managing COVID-19 prevention measures different from normal times while simultaneously carrying out vaccinations. Moving forward, we plan to focus all efforts on preparing for the post-COVID situation that will come after 70% vaccination coverage."

On the 5th, Asia Economy met with Chief Choi Tae-young at the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters located on the slopes of Namsan in Jung-gu, Seoul, where operations run urgently 24/7. Chief Choi recalled, "Since my inauguration, the pressure was immense as daily confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide reached around 700." He emphasized that overcoming the ongoing COVID-19 situation since last year and proactively preparing for the post-COVID era, where social distancing measures are relaxed, is the top priority. With 31 years of experience, Chief Choi has been responsible for emergency and disaster situations occurring in Seoul for the past six months.

Since the spread of COVID-19 began last year, the headquarters designated dedicated ambulance teams to provide emergency treatment and transport for over 40,000 citizens suspected of having COVID-19. Notably, they were the first nationwide to develop 119 dispatch and transport guidelines that classify COVID-19 patients by type, and have established and are operating special measures to prepare for accidents at treatment and isolation facilities. Recently, a '119 Rapid Response Team' has been deployed at central vaccination centers to support vaccination and emergency patient transport tasks.

However, as cluster infections continue to occur across Seoul and vaccinations are now in full swing starting with the elderly, the situation remains tense. Chief Choi particularly conveyed the difficulties faced by personnel responding to COVID-19 while wearing sealed protective suits, emphasizing that securing the safety of the personnel is as important as ensuring citizens' safety. Infection of personnel with COVID-19 would mean the collapse of the emergency response system.

Chief Choi recalled, "With nationwide confirmed cases reaching 700 to 800 daily, the pressure was very high," and stressed, "We must prepare for any unforeseen situations related to vaccinations and also be ready for changes as citizens' activity levels increase post-vaccination, exposing them to new risks."

Alongside COVID-19 response, the headquarters plans to strengthen preventive measures tailored to the characteristics of large cities to reduce fire damage in vulnerable facilities such as super high-rise and underground buildings, as well as residential facilities. Currently, Seoul has 24 super high-rise buildings over 50 floors and 660 high-rise buildings over 30 floors. Additionally, large underground facilities such as interconnected underground complex buildings and large-scale underground tunnels are on the rise. Chief Choi explained, "Considering the realities of a large city, we are preparing from both prevention and response perspectives," adding, "We are promoting the establishment of disaster safety guidelines for underground facilities and applying guidelines to enhance fire response capabilities in the design of super high-rise buildings."

To respond to residential fires, which account for 41% of all fires, the headquarters will continue distributing fire extinguishers and smoke detectors to vulnerable groups, and plans to expand a project that installs timer-type gas shutoff devices free of charge in 7,900 households receiving basic living subsidies. To reduce the number of suicide attempts by jumping from Han River bridges, they have set a goal of '100% prevention and survival rescue rate for Han River bridge suicides.' On average, 486 people per year have been rescued after jumping from Han River bridges over the past five years. Since 2015, the headquarters has installed 572 CCTV cameras for monitoring suicide attempts on 10 bridges over the Han River and conducts continuous monitoring.

To respond more effectively to disasters and emergencies, the headquarters operates a 'Smart Disaster Response System' and is upgrading the 'Seoul Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Center' system, which citizens encounter first. This is based on the judgment that efficient response is necessary as disaster environments in large cities become increasingly uncertain. Additionally, the 'Fire Joint Building,' which will consolidate the currently separately operated Fire and Disaster Headquarters and the Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Center, will complete its design by the first half of next year and is scheduled for completion in October 2024.

Chief Choi stated, "We actively adopt 4th industrial technologies to support integrated responses by multiple agencies and utilize drones for wildfire and fire spread monitoring," and explained, "To prepare for future disaster environments, we plan to build decision support systems and integrated disaster response platforms using information and communication technology and big data." He concluded the interview by saying, "In recent years, I have experienced the most meaningful changes such as increased government budgets and the transition to national positions. I am pleased to provide better services to citizens and leave a better environment for firefighter juniors as a senior."

Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, is answering a reporter's question on the 5th at the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, during a meeting with Asia Economy.

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