Wando-gun Receives 'Grand Prize' in Jeonnam Province Wildfire Prevention and Response Evaluation

Published 22 Dec.2023 09:51(KST)

Strengthening Competency through In-House Mechanization System Operation and Evolution Job Training

Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do received the grand prize in the ‘2023 Jeollanam-do Wildfire Prevention and Response Excellent City/County Evaluation’ hosted by Jeollanam-do on the 21st.

According to the county on the 22nd, the ‘Wildfire Prevention and Response Performance Evaluation’ assesses cities and counties that have made efforts in wildfire prevention and response in Jeollanam-do in cooperation with the Korea Forest Service. Wando-gun received high scores in all evaluation categories, including integrated wildfire suppression training performance and implementation of special wildfire prevention policies.

They are taking a commemorative photo after receiving the grand prize in the 2023 Jeonnam Province Wildfire Prevention 'Excellent Response City/County Evaluation'.
[Photo by Wando-gun]

In particular, following the top prize at the recent ‘Wildfire On-site Integrated Command Competition,’ Wando-gun received the grand prize in this evaluation, recognizing it as having the most outstanding wildfire administrative capabilities in Jeollanam-do.

The county has been strengthening its wildfire suppression capabilities by regularly operating its own mechanized system and conducting suppression duty training annually in preparation for wildfires.

To raise awareness about unauthorized burning near forest areas, which is a major cause of wildfires, the county has promoted campaigns such as ‘Creating Green Villages Without Burning Wildfires,’ working together with residents to preserve forest resources.

Until now, wildfire suppression leased helicopters have been operated regionally in areas such as Gangjin, Haenam, and Wando, but starting in 2024, Wando-gun will operate independently to establish a wildfire suppression command system for island areas. This is expected to enable rapid dispatch and suppression in case of wildfire occurrence, protecting precious subtropical forests as well as the lives and property of residents.

Park Eun-jae, Director of the Forest Recreation Division, stated, “Receiving the grand prize in this evaluation is an achievement made together with the residents,” and added, “We will strive even harder to make our county a leading institution in forest administration in Jeollanam-do.”