Suncheon Fire Station, Efforts to Prevent Forest Fires through Drone Surveillance Team Operation

Forest Service National Forest Management Office, Suncheon Drone Training Center, and Jeil University Collaborate for Comprehensive Prevention Efforts

[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon Fire Station (Chief Ha Soo-cheol) announced on the 2nd that it has focused on the expanding scope of drones and contacted drone specialized organizations in Suncheon City to explore ways to utilize drones for fire prevention purposes.

At the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, 1,218 drones were spatially arranged to decorate the night sky with the Olympic rings.

Unlike in the past when fireworks were set off at local events, 'drone shows' have become more common.

The utilization areas of drones are expanding, and it is expected that by 2025, drone taxis will be introduced following unmanned delivery and aerial photography.

Starting with a support agreement signed in March with the Suncheon National Forest Management Office, a drone aerial surveillance team has been operating for three months, achieving an 85% reduction in forest fire occurrences compared to last year (from 20 cases to 3 cases).

Encouraged by these results, Suncheon Fire Station restarted the drone surveillance team last month during Fire Prevention Month, and to enhance expertise, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Suncheon Jeil University Drone Education Center to borrow special drones equipped with thermal cameras and loudspeakers for operating aerial surveillance teams for forests and wildfires.

The drone surveillance team will operate until May next year to prevent and respond to forest fires that frequently occur in winter.

Ha Soo-cheol, Chief of Suncheon Fire Station, said, “Suncheon Fire Station is exploring more three-dimensional methods for fire prevention and response by utilizing drone and aviation technology. As the effectiveness of the drone surveillance team is clearly proven, we will strengthen cooperation with related organizations to expand the range of on-site activities.”

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