National Assembly forum on establishing a one-stop system for preventing, suppressing and recovering from major wildfire disasters
Assembly Members Min Hong-cheol and Kim Jeong-ho held a forum on ‘Establishing a One-Stop System for Preventing, Suppressing and Recovering from Major Wildfire Disasters’ at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on July 31. Dr. Kwon Chun-geun of the National Institute of Forest Science is presenting. [Photo: Reporter Cho Jeong-hoon]
Regarding wildfire disasters, whose frequency and scale of damage have been increasing due to climate change, calls have been made to establish an integrated wildfire management system covering the entire cycle from prevention to suppression and recovery. Since the existing approach, focused mainly on fragmented responses, has limitations in wildfire management, the stages must be examined and systematized to determine how the relevant technologies should be applied and integrated.
Dr. Kwon Chun-geun of the National Institute of Forest Science under the Korea Forest Service made the remarks at a forum on ‘Establishing a One-Stop System for Preventing, Suppressing and Recovering from Major Wildfire Disasters’ held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on July 31.
Speaking on the topic of ‘Plans for Establishing an Integrated Management System for Each Stage of Wildfire Disaster Management Using Advanced Technologies,’ Dr. Kwon Chun-geun emphasized that innovating disaster management based on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), satellites and drones, the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital twins is an important task.
First, for the prevention stage, he proposed establishing a system for quantifying and monitoring fuel loads through LiDAR-based three-dimensional terrain and vegetation data analysis to precisely identify the fuel load in each high-risk area. He also mentioned the need for visualization, such as producing long-term wildfire risk maps based on climate scenarios.
For the preparedness stage, he viewed establishing an integrated command system using digital technologies as key. A real-time information-sharing system must be established to prevent confusion among agencies.
Dr. Kwon proposed establishing a multi-layered monitoring system integrating satellites, drones and sensors, as well as applying AI technologies to detect smoke patterns and infrared temperature anomalies, during the response stage, when early detection and spread prediction technologies are important.
For the recovery stage, he noted that it is important to quickly identify the extent and causes of damage and systematically support the recovery of forests and local communities. He also said that an integrated support system encompassing psychological recovery after a disaster must be established.
Dr. Kwon said, “As wildfires have become complex disasters, it is essential to move beyond the existing response focused on suppression and transition to an integrated management system that uses advanced technologies throughout the entire cycle. We will be able to ensure public safety only by establishing a practical, technology-based wildfire disaster management system through expanded government investment in technology R&D, the establishment of a public-private collaborative operating platform, and the improvement of legal and institutional foundations.”
Meanwhile, the discussion, hosted and organized by National Assembly members Min Hong-cheol (Democratic Party of Korea, Gimhae A, Gyeongsangnam-do) and Kim Jeong-ho (Democratic Party of Korea, Gimhae B, Gyeongsangnam-do), was attended by a large number of industry representatives, who shared their views on the current state of wildfire prevention policy operations and measures for improvement.
The discussion included presentations and a general discussion on topics such as ▲the current state and improvement measures for wildfire prevention policy operations (Hwang Jeong-seok, Director of the Wildfire Policy and Technology Research Institute) ▲the present and future of modern large-scale wildfires (Dr. Jang Jae-young, Forest Holdings) ▲the establishment of a one-stop system and a multidimensional response system through AI (Bang Gi-seong, President of the Korea Disaster Prevention Association; Lee Byeong-seok, Professor at Soonchunhyang University; Lee Hwan-ho, CEO of CLEVI) ▲measures for establishing an integrated management system for each stage of wildfire disaster management using advanced technologies (Dr. Kwon Chun-geun, National Institute of Forest Science, Korea Forest Service).
In his opening remarks, National Assembly member Min Hong-cheol emphasized, “The large-scale wildfires that occurred along the east coast and in northern Gyeongsangbuk-do in March this year served as an opportunity to reflect on the current state of our country’s disaster response system. Wildfire management policy must integrate the entire process into a one-stop system, from the prevention stage of detecting and blocking wildfires to rapid and efficient suppression and a recovery system with resilience.”
Presenters and distinguished guests pose for a commemorative photo at the discussion on ‘Measures for Establishing a One-Stop System for the Prevention, Suppression and Recovery of Large-Scale Wildfire Disasters,’ held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on July 31. [Photo: Reporter Jo Jeong-hun]
Reporter Jo Jeong-hun [email protected]
Source: The Electrical Times (Reporter Jo Jeong-hun) | https://www.electimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=358521