The National Fire Agency announced on the 2nd that next year's budget is final at 329.5 billion won. This is a 0.5% decrease compared to the previous year (331.1 billion won).
The National Fire Agency plans to strengthen the safety net directly connected to the lives of citizens and expand investments in advanced disaster response technology through this budget.
First, measures will be taken to enhance fire safety in residential areas and living spaces and to prevent damage from large forest fires, which have occurred frequently recently. From next year until 2028, it plans to distribute smoke detectors to 1,498,000 aging apartments nationwide. Additionally, emergency extinguishing systems will be installed in 2,280 villages adjacent to forests by 2030.
Equipment to strengthen the fire disaster response capability will also be expanded. One medium helicopter for wildfire suppression, four super-sized water tank vehicles, and two high-performance chemical vehicles will be newly introduced. In addition, a medium-capacity foam extinguishing system that can be operated with small personnel will be supplied to the four central 119 rescue headquarters.
Furthermore, plans will be implemented to enhance the capabilities of fire technology research and development. A total of 17 projects will be pursued, including five projects such as fire technology development for future infrastructure fire risk response and climate crisis-related complex disaster response technology development. To this end, the budget related to research and development has been set at 50.3 billion won, an increase of 64.9% from the previous year.
In addition, support to protect the mental and physical health of fire service personnel will be strengthened. Eighteen counselors will be newly assigned to the 'mobile counseling office,' and the number of participants in the stress resilience enhancement program will be expanded to 200.
Oh Seung-hoon, Director General for Planning and Coordination at the National Fire Agency, said, 'We will continue to expand fire services that citizens can feel, even under the trend of financial innovation.'