Pyeongtaek Fire Station Celebrates 110th Anniversary with Commemorative Event

Employees of Pyeongtaek Fire Station are taking a group photo at the 110th anniversary ceremony. Photo by Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters

[Asia Economy (Pyeongtaek) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] The Pyeongtaek Fire Station in Gyeonggi Province celebrated its 110th anniversary this year.

In this regard, the Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters held a commemorative event at the Pyeongtaek Fire Station on the 21st to learn from the spirit of predecessors who voluntarily organized and operated fire brigades centered on residents during difficult times.

The commemorative event featured an academic lecture by Dr. Kim Sang-wook, an authority on fire history during the Japanese colonial period, and an exhibition where attendees could learn about history through newspaper articles and photos from that time.

In his congratulatory speech, Ahn Gye-il, Chair of the Safety and Administration Committee of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, said, "I was surprised to learn that the history of Pyeongtaek fire services has reached 110 years," and emphasized, "The Provincial Council will spare no support in properly promoting the history of Gyeonggi fire services and creating the world's best safety Gyeonggi Province."

Jo Seon-ho, Head of the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "Activities that correctly understand the history of fire and disaster and draw lessons from it are important in raising the responsibility and pride of fire officers and volunteer firefighters," adding, "Next year, we plan to publish an administrative history and a collection of relic materials summarizing the history of Gyeonggi fire and disaster."

The commemorative event was attended by Jeong Jang-seon, Mayor of Pyeongtaek, Yoo Ui-dong, Member of the National Assembly (People Power Party, Pyeongtaek-eul), and Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly members from the Pyeongtaek area, including Kim Jae-gyun, Seo Hyun-ok, Yoon Seong-geun, and Lee Hak-su, who all celebrated the 110th anniversary of Pyeongtaek Fire Station.

Meanwhile, the modern concept of fire brigades dates back to the 1890s with the establishment of fire groups (Sobangjo) centered around open ports and the royal fire brigade responsible for fire suppression in palaces. In the case of Gyeonggi Province, the Suwon Fire Group and Osan Fire Group, established in 1909, are regarded as the origins.

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