Fire Agency Revamps Emergency Rescue Response System... Strengthening On-Site Response Capabilities

As Part of the Comprehensive Measures for National Security System Reform

The National Fire Agency announced on the 21st that, as part of the comprehensive measures to reorganize the national safety system, it has revised the 'Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management' and the 'Regulations on On-site Command of Emergency Rescue Response Activities' to strengthen on-site response capabilities.

The main points of the amendment include ▲restructuring the Emergency Rescue Control Team functions ▲strengthening the initial on-site command functions of the Emergency Rescue Command Unit ▲unifying the authority to issue response stage orders, etc. The Emergency Rescue Control Team is a temporary organization formed to oversee and coordinate emergency rescue matters when there is a significant risk of disaster occurrence or when a disaster has occurred.

First, the enforcement decree simplified the organization of the Emergency Rescue Control Team at disaster sites from the existing 4 divisions and 1 unit (General Command Division, Response Planning Division, Resource Support Division, Emergency Recovery Division, On-site Command Unit) to 3 divisions (Response Planning Division, On-site Command Division, Resource Support Division) to enable efficient operation.

The Response Planning Division is responsible for integrated command and coordination, situation analysis, operational planning, public relations, and communication tasks. The On-site Command Division handles tasks such as hazard suppression, search and rescue, and emergency medical services. The Resource Support Division manages supplies and meal support for mobilized firefighting forces, equipment management, and operation of resource assembly points.

Additionally, the 'Regulations on Emergency Rescue Response Activities and On-site Command' were revised to enable rapid, optimal, and maximum response from the early stages of a disaster.

The previous operation standards for the Emergency Rescue Control Team, which were managed in stages (preparedness and levels 1 to 3), have been changed to allow operation when the Control Team Leader deems it necessary, considering the type, scale, and damage situation of the disaster comprehensively. Furthermore, the criteria for issuing response stages are now set in the Emergency Rescue Response Plan, allowing operation tailored to regional characteristics.

Kim Jo-il, Director of the 119 Response Bureau at the National Fire Agency, stated, “In line with the rapidly changing disaster environment due to complex risk factors such as the climate crisis, this amendment to the laws will enable swift and systematic initial response as well as flexible mobilization and utilization of firefighting forces.”

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