Gyeonggi Fire Department Strengthens Safety Management for 'Fire-Vulnerable Facilities' in Spring

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters is implementing the ‘Spring Fire Prevention Measures’ from March to May, the season with the highest number of fires throughout the year, by strengthening safety management of vulnerable facilities.

On the 7th, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced that it has prepared 19 tasks under five major strategies aimed at reducing fire-related deaths in spring: ▲strengthening preventive activities at fire-vulnerable facilities ▲focused safety management of sites at risk of large fires ▲fire prevention publicity to raise awareness ▲establishing a proactive response system for fire occurrences ▲and special policies.

First, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters will inspect construction sites with high fire risks at least once a month and disseminate safety measures such as assigning fire safety managers when handling fire sources.

Additionally, with the increase in outdoor activities during spring, safety management will be strengthened by conducting guidance and inspections at 648 camping sites including glamping and caravans frequently used in the province, as well as at family day event venues such as Children’s Day and Buddha’s Birthday in May.

Spring Fire

Furthermore, fire safety education will be provided at fire-vulnerable facilities such as elderly care centers, and basic firefighting equipment like fire extinguishers will be supplied, while facilities for vulnerable evacuees such as those for the disabled will also be intensively managed.

Along with this, a campaign on apartment evacuation plans containing fire evacuation and escape guidelines will be conducted targeting all 7,172 apartment complexes in the province.

Moreover, from the stage of weather warnings, emergency response systems will be activated by holding situation assessment meetings with related agencies, and special alert duties will be carried out during vulnerable periods such as the 22nd general election in April, Cheongmyeong and Hansik, and Buddha’s Birthday in May as part of proactive measures.

Jo Seon-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, “We plan to implement fire safety measures focused on practicality and effectiveness that reflect the seasonal and social characteristics of spring,” and urged, “Since fires caused by carelessness are frequent in spring, we ask residents to comply with basic fire safety rules.”

Meanwhile, looking at the seasonal fire occurrence rates over the past five years from 2019 to 2023, spring (March to May) recorded the highest number of fires in a year at 28.5% (12,330 cases). Among these, March had the highest monthly fire rate at 10.2% (4,442 cases). Carelessness accounted for more than half of the spring fire causes at 55% (6,786 cases).

In particular, wildfires and forest fires were found to occur predominantly in spring (61%) compared to other seasons.

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