Gyeonggi Province Operates 1,005-Member Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Teams This Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 10th that it will invest 14.4 billion won to minimize forest fire damage this year and will select 1,005 members of the Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Team to engage in forest fire monitoring and suppression activities.

Like last year, the population enjoying forest recreation such as camping and hiking in forests near the metropolitan area is expected to increase due to COVID-19, and concerns about dry weather caused by climate change are also mounting, making the role of suppression teams increasingly important.

Last year, the number of forest fires occurring in the province was 208 cases, accounting for 35% of forest fires nationwide; however, the affected area was 53 hectares, representing only 1.8% compared to the national total of 2,916 hectares. The province believes that one reason for this is the rapid deployment of the Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Team played a major role.

This year, the Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Team will be deployed to 31 cities and counties in forest fire-vulnerable areas, and by operating a mechanized system together, the province expects it will not only increase efficiency in forest fire suppression but also make a significant contribution to local job creation.

The suppression teams will play a role in night operations when forest fire suppression helicopters are difficult to operate and in the extinguishing of residual fires, as well as engage in forest fire monitoring and crackdowns on illegal activities in forests.

Additionally, beginning this year, smart mobile devices will be distributed to suppression team members. Beyond the existing mobile device's forest fire reporting function, enhanced functions including transmission of forest fire scene videos and improved call quality will enable more rapid response to forest fires.

Gyeonggi Province plans to implement forest fire prevention education and training twice each in spring and fall, entrusted to the Korea Forest Fire Prevention Technology Association, to improve the suppression capabilities of forest fire suppression personnel.

Lee Sung-gyu, director of the Forest Division at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Despite Gyeonggi Province experiencing the most forest fires nationwide last year, we were able to respond successfully thanks to the dedicated efforts of the suppression teams," and added, "I am grateful to the suppression team members who work diligently under difficult circumstances. We will make greater efforts to create rest spaces for suppression team members by expanding forest fire response centers."

The Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Team plans to begin recruitment by each city and county from January this year and will be selected primarily from local residents. Additionally, cities and counties plan to separately recruit and operate forest fire monitors during spring and fall forest fire prevention periods. For more detailed information, contact your city or county forest department.