'Training as Real'... Jeju-do Ranks 1st Nationwide in Disaster Response Safe Korea Drill

Published 27 Dec.2022 13:48(KST)

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Chang-won] Jeju Province announced on the 27th that it ranked first nationwide in the evaluation of the '2022 Disaster Response Safe Korea Drill' hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

The Disaster Response Safe Korea Drill is conducted nationwide every year to strengthen the disaster response capabilities of disaster management responsible agencies. It sets scenarios suitable for local conditions among various disaster situations such as earthquakes, fires, and typhoons that can occur anytime and anywhere around us, and conducts discussion tabletop drills and on-site response drills to check the corresponding response posture.

This year, Jeju Province assumed a situation of building collapse and fire caused by an earthquake and conducted a discussion drill at the Provincial Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on November 24 and an on-site response drill at Jocheon Gymnasium on November 25.

The evaluation of the drills was finally decided by the Central Drill Evaluation Committee by combining the scores from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s central evaluation team and the citizen experience group directly participating, and received the highest score among the 17 metropolitan and provincial divisions nationwide.

The evaluation team highly rated the setting of drill scenarios reflecting local conditions, the implementation of drills, and the active participation of the head of the agency (governor).

Considering Jeju’s regional situation with many electric vehicles nationwide, the fire suppression drill using fire smothering extinguishing foam and water wall monitors in case of electric vehicle fires, as well as the organic and cooperative response posture of related local agencies and private organizations, were positively evaluated.

Also, the direct participation of the head of the agency (governor) in the drill, including situation assessment, countermeasure inspection, handling of sudden and unexpected messages, and on-site command promotion, was highly evaluated.

In the discussion drill, various problems that could occur on-site during the situation were directly checked through sudden messages, and in the on-site drill, active on-site command such as instructions for life rescue using the disaster safety communication network (PS-LTE) was highly evaluated.

Oh Young-hoon, Governor of Jeju Province, said, “It is very meaningful to be recognized for Jeju’s efforts to establish a solid disaster safety response system,” and added, “Along with this year’s Safety Culture Movement Award, ranking first nationwide proves that Jeju is becoming safer, and we will continue to strive to protect the lives and safety of our residents.”