The National Fire Agency said on the 9th it will run summer fire safety measures for heavy rain, heat waves and droughts through mid-Oct. this year.
The National Fire Agency doubled the mobilization standards under the national fire mobilization order from last year, noting that the frequency of torrential downpours of 50 millimeters or more per hour has surged compared with the past. For example, when issuing Mobilization Order No. 1, fewer than 100 pieces of equipment and fewer than 250 personnel were deployed last year, but this year that has been expanded to fewer than 200 pieces of equipment and fewer than 500 personnel, respectively.
In addition, when a weather advisory is issued, it plans to increase the 119 call-taking consoles from the normal 344 to a total of 908. The aim is to respond to surges in calls. It will also pre-position advanced and specialized equipment such as large-capacity water monitor systems, rough-terrain pump trucks and firefighting drones, focusing on three high-risk areas for casualties—landslides, river disasters and flooding of underground spaces—and allow on-site commanders to immediately issue mandatory evacuation orders and designate danger zones at their discretion.
As a heat wave measure, the National Fire Agency said 1,668 ambulances and 14,412 paramedics nationwide will remain on standby for potential heat-related patients. When an ambulance is unavailable, 1,402 "pambulances" will be dispatched in cross-coverage. A pambulance is a term combining a fire pumper and an ambulance; the system dispatches both vehicles simultaneously to provide rapid first aid or support emergency medical activities.
A total of 91,492 volunteer firefighters nationwide will serve as "heat wave safety guardians." From 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., the hours most vulnerable to heat waves, they will patrol outdoor worksites to prevent accidents, hand out ice water, and check on the safety of elderly people living alone.
To prepare for drought, the National Fire Agency will conduct monthly checks of water pressure and volume at 203,943 firefighting water facilities nationwide at least once per month. In cooperation with Korea Water Resources Corporation, it plans to use four water purification plants nationwide (Seongnam, Miryang, Cheongju, Jangheung) to support domestic water supply or secure firefighting water.
The National Fire Agency said, "From the earliest stage of a disaster, we will meticulously concentrate all available equipment and national firefighting capabilities to protect lives and ensure safety, allowing not even the slightest gap."