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Busan Metropolitan City Implements Fire Safety Measures for the Winter Season

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Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Park Heong-joon announced that, as fire risks increase during the winter season, the city has established Winter Season Fire Safety Measures that will be implemented from December through February.

This initiative was prepared to prevent casualties resulting from fire accidents during the winter months, when the use of heating devices and other ignition sources increases and dry weather continues—conditions that significantly heighten the risk of fires.

The measures consist of three main components:
(1) safety inspections focused on fire-prone facilities,
(2) strengthened fire safety management support for vulnerable groups and aging apartment complexes, and
(3) public fire safety promotion campaigns.

Safety Inspections

First, each responsible department within the city, along with districts and counties and the Fire & Disaster Headquarters, will develop its own fire prevention inspection plans for the facilities under its jurisdiction. Based on these plans, inspections will begin in December. Some facilities will undergo joint inspections with private-sector experts to ensure thorough and effective evaluations.

Key inspection targets include traditional markets, aging multi-unit housing complexes, nursing facilities, multi-use facilities, and residential facilities for vulnerable populations.
In December, joint inspections will be conducted—by the city, districts and counties, and private experts—at two homeless welfare facilities, two geriatric hospitals, one nursing home, and three welfare centers to further strengthen the effectiveness of inspections.

Strengthened Support for Fire Safety Management

The city will also enhance support for fire safety management by promoting the early implementation of the Fire Evacuation “Safety Call” service for individuals who have difficulty evacuating on their own, such as children requiring care, seniors, and persons with disabilities. When these individuals register their contact information with the service, they receive automated calls or text alerts in the event of a fire. Once their exact unit is identified, an emergency response officer will contact them directly to guide their evacuation.

Furthermore, the city will continue distributing electrical fire safety equipment—such as automatic fire-suppression multi-tap outlets and fire-extinguishing stickers for electrical sockets—to vulnerable residents living in aging apartment complexes, ensuring comprehensive fire prevention.

Public Fire Safety Awareness Campaigns

To minimize casualties, Busan Metropolitan City will continue promoting evacuation guidelines for multi-use facilities and apartment complexes.

The city will also strengthen its public outreach on the safe use of high-risk heating products—such as electric mats, heaters, and heating wires—to prevent fires caused by carelessness.

Recent Fire Safety Coordination Meeting

Meanwhile, on November 14, Lee Jun-seung, Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs, presided over a Winter Season Fire Safety Measures Coordination Meeting with relevant bureaus and departments, deputy mayors of districts and counties, Busan Transportation Corporation, Korea Electrical Safety Corporation, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, and other related organizations.

During the meeting, participants reviewed preventive measures for fire-prone facilities—including aging multi-unit housing complexes, industrial complexes, and multi-use facilities—as well as safety management strategies for vulnerable groups such as children and seniors. These discussions served as the basis for developing and implementing the current measures.

Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs Lee Jun-seung stated, “To alleviate citizens’ concerns following recent fire incidents across the country, Busan Metropolitan City will work closely with the Fire & Disaster Headquarters and districts and counties to thoroughly conduct preventive inspections of fire-prone facilities. We will also meticulously review evacuation plans for each facility to minimize casualties resulting from fires.”