Changwon Fire Headquarters: "Do Not Undermine Independent Operations, It's Time to Collaborate for Better Fire Safety"

Lee Sang-gi, Head of Fire Policy Division at Changwon Fire Headquarters in Gyeongnam, is giving a briefing on the independent execution of fire services. / Photo by Lee Se-ryeong ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters reporters Song Jong-gu and Lee Se-ryeong] The Changwon Fire Headquarters in Gyeongnam recently refuted the integration proposal with the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters as "baseless disruption and a wasteful debate."

On the 3rd, the Changwon Headquarters held a press conference at Changwon Special City Hall, expressing its determination to independently carry out fire services.

Lee Sang-gi, Director of Fire Policy, stated, "In 2010, when Masan, Changwon, and Jinhae merged into Changwon City, a metropolitan administrative district, fire services were assigned as an incentive, granting the Changwon mayor authority over personnel, budget, command, and responsibility for service execution."

He added, "Accordingly, Gyeongnam Province transferred fire services to Changwon City on January 1, 2012, following the provincial council's resolution, but over the past decade, there have been statements denying Changwon City's execution of fire services and calling for their return to Gyeongnam Province."

Director Lee explained, "The Changwon Headquarters was launched by receiving 605 personnel transferred from the province and has increased to 1,128 members. It has swiftly responded to incidents such as the 2014 Jindong bus accident, the 2017 Yangdeokcheon missing person case, and the Changwon Tunnel cargo truck explosion by deploying personnel and equipment, and has proven its on-site response capabilities in fire technology competitions."

Additionally, he cited major achievements including ▲ establishment of new fire stations ▲ improvement to 0% outdated equipment ▲ maintaining 100% personal equipment possession rate ▲ management of target arrival times at scenes and expansion of 28 signal control systems ▲ improvement of emergency medical systems resulting in an 8% increase in survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

Director Lee emphasized, "Baseless disruption and wasteful debates create anxiety among citizens and undermine administrative reliability and stability. We should consider how Gyeongnam and Changwon, the two headquarters, can create synergy effects so that residents and citizens can enjoy better fire safety services."

He added, "Changwon City will remain steadfast and do its best to normalize fire services, including revising related laws, to become a safer Changwon Special City."

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