Gyeonggi Fire Department Launches Full-Scale Operation of 'Senior Care Special Volunteer Fire Brigade'

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters will operate the ‘Special Volunteer Fire Brigade for Elderly Care’ at 10 fire stations within the jurisdiction this year.

The Special Volunteer Fire Brigade for Elderly Care will visit the homes of elderly residents, with 20 members assigned per fire station, to eliminate hazards such as electrical and gas risks in daily life, check health conditions, and connect individuals showing signs of mental illness to local mental health welfare centers.

They will also inspect basic fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and residential fire alarms, provide guidance on their use, and offer safety education and services that elderly residents must be well aware of.

In particular, each fire station will promote specialized policies tailored to the characteristics of their local area.

Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters

The Icheon Fire Station operates dementia prevention and stress relief programs such as balloon art and art psychotherapy, while the Gimpo Fire Station organizes special “Make Today Special” experience events for the elderly, including making traditional Korean sweets (Hangwa) and seasonal foods.

Earlier, the provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters piloted the Special Volunteer Fire Brigade for Elderly Care at two fire stations, Goyang Fire Station and Suwon Nambu Fire Station, last year. Following a satisfaction survey conducted earlier this year, both the elderly and volunteer firefighters showed high satisfaction with the activities.

Jo Seon-ho, head of the provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "In response to the changes brought by a super-aged society, we recognized the continuous need for lifestyle care-type safety welfare services to strengthen safety and welfare for the elderly, and thus decided to expand the operation of the Special Volunteer Fire Brigade for Elderly Care. We will operate the brigade thoroughly so that it becomes a reliable companion for the elderly."

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