Jeju Fire Department Launches 'Field Response Unit'... Dedicated Team for Disaster Site Response

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Kim Su-hwan) announced on the 9th that, in line with the implementation plan of the 8th local government’s pledge to “Enhance the Function of the 119 Comprehensive Control Tower,” it has formed an on-site response team with the goal of “prioritizing the safety of residents.”

Following the revision of related regulations earlier this year and about four months of preparation, the on-site response unit was launched through a fire department reorganization on the 1st.

Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters has launched an on-site response team.
[Photo by Jeju Fire]

Previously, the fire station’s on-site response division handled both administrative and dispatch duties, but through this reorganization, the administrative department responsible for prevention and civil complaints was separated from the on-site response unit, establishing an organizational system dedicated solely to disaster site command and response.

The Jeju Fire Station’s on-site response division was split into the 119 Disaster Response Division and the On-site Response Unit. Among the 230 fire stations nationwide, Seogwipo, Seobu, and Dongbu Fire Stations, which were uniquely operated with two divisions (Fire Administration Division and On-site Response Division), also separated the On-site Response Division into the Prevention and Rescue Division and the On-site Response Unit.

Previously, the ranks of the command team leader and the 119 center chief were the same, but the rank of the On-site Response Unit chief was raised from Fire Captain to Fire Lieutenant Colonel to establish a systematic and unified on-site command system.

Governor Oh Young-hoon said, “I attended the launch ceremony of the On-site Response Unit held at the Jeju Fire Station today to encourage the establishment of a command system capable of faster and more accurate response, and I urge all efforts to be focused on disaster sites with the safety of residents as the top priority.”

He added, “Creating a system for professional and swift response at disaster sites is a promise to the residents. I hope the On-site Response Unit will play a significant role going forward and actively work for the safety of the residents.”

About 80 people, including fire officials and executives of the Provincial Volunteer Fire Brigade Association, attended the launch ceremony.

Governor Oh Young-hoon reviewed demonstrations of special firefighting equipment such as firefighting drones, portable water tanks for electric vehicle fire suppression, collapse detectors, and underwater video recording equipment, and checked their status.

Meanwhile, the On-site Response Unit chief currently works a daytime (five-day workweek) schedule, but plans are underway to reorganize into a 24-hour shift system to establish a seamless disaster site response system without distinction between day, night, or holidays.

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Hwang Jeong-pil baekok@asiae.co.kr

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