Only 70% of Aging Fire Trucks in Gyeonggi Province to Be Replaced

Due to insufficient budget support, it appears that only 70% of aging fire trucks in Gyeonggi Province will be replaced next year.

According to the Gyeonggi Province Fire & Disaster Headquarters on the 18th, among 1,086 fire trucks operated by 30 fire departments across the province, 209 vehicles (19%) are scheduled for replacement next year after reaching their useful life (11 years for fire suppression vehicles, 6 years for rescue and command vehicles), with replacement costs totaling 23.89 billion won.

However, the allocated budget for next year is only 17.304 billion won, allowing only 142 vehicles—67.9% of the total aging fleet—to be replaced.

Consequently, the remaining 67 vehicles that were excluded from replacement based on service life, mileage, and engine performance will continue to operate next year through parts replacement and maintenance.

Particularly notable is that articulated aerial ladder trucks, with one per fire department, number 6 vehicles slated for replacement next year, but three fire departments in Gunpo, Pyeongtaek, and Dongducheon have been excluded.

An official from the provincial fire headquarters stated, "While the provincial budget for replacing aging vehicles has increased significantly in recent times, the discontinuation of special grants and reduced state funding have created limitations. Aging vehicles pose the risk of sudden malfunction in emergency situations, so bold support for replacement budgets is necessary."