70-Year-Old Dies While Taking Physical Fitness Test for Wildfire Suppression Team Carrying 15kg Bag

Died During Wildfire Prevention and Suppression Team Fitness Test
Climbed Stairs Carrying a 15kg Bag

A man in his 70s suddenly died while taking the selection test for the Wildfire Prevention and Suppression Team, one of the forest disaster jobs.

According to the Jangseong Police Station in Jeollanam-do on the 22nd, a report was received by the fire department that Mr. A (77) collapsed near Jangseongho Lakeside Park in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do at around 9:53 a.m. the previous day. An ambulance immediately dispatched and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and Mr. A was transported to the hospital but eventually passed away.

Ambulance. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Mr. A was taking the physical fitness test for the spring Wildfire Prevention and Suppression Team conducted by Jangseong-gun. It is known that he was resting after going up and down stairs carrying a 15 kg bag. It was confirmed that Mr. A had previously participated in wildfire suppression activities. The police found no criminal suspicion in Mr. A’s death, closed the investigation, and plan to hand over the body to the bereaved family.

Meanwhile, the Wildfire Suppression Team recruits members every spring and fall to prevent wildfire causes such as illegal burning of rice paddies in advance, and when a wildfire occurs, they are deployed for suppression work. The Jangseong-gun authorities stated, "Mr. A had been active as a wildfire suppression team member for the past two years, and he was allowed to take the physical fitness test after submitting a health examination report from the health center confirming no health problems through a prior medical checkup." They also explained, "According to the Korea Forest Service guidelines, anyone aged 18 or older can apply, and recruitment is conducted by comprehensively evaluating income, health, and physical fitness."

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