Damyang-gun won the ‘Best Award’ in the 2024 forest fire prevention and response evaluation for two consecutive years. Damyang-gun (Governor Lee Byeong-no) achieved the grand prize this year, following last year, at the ‘2024 Forest Fire Prevention and Response Evaluation Awards Ceremony’ held in Yeonggwang on the 13th.
The forest fire prevention and response evaluation hosted by Jeollanam-do Province consists of 7 evaluation indicators in 4 areas: ‘Forest fire prevention’, ‘Forest fire prevention promotion’, ‘Forest fire preparedness and response’, and ’Forest fire prevention cooperation’, and covers 22 cities and counties in Jeollanam-do. Evaluate.
Damyang-gun won the top prize in this evaluation as a result of actively promoting forest fire prevention activities, such as cracking down on illegal burning and holding forest fire prevention campaigns, and making efforts to improve forest fire response capabilities, such as training firefighting personnel and training with related organizations.
In addition, at the Jeollanam-do forest fire extinguishing and integrated command contest hosted by Jeollanam-do and hosted by the Jeonnam branch of the Korea Forest Fire Prevention Technology Association held on the same day, Damyang-gun showed efficient strategy and situational command ability and received the excellence award in the integrated command field.
This contest, held with over 250 attendees from 22 cities and counties in Jeollanam-do, was divided into two categories: integrated command, which looks at the ability to quickly deploy command vehicles and establish forest fire extinguishing operations; and ground firefighting, which looks at the ability to operate forest fire mechanized system equipment, such as installing forest fire extinguishing vehicles and simple water tanks. It was carried out by evaluating each field.
Kim Eun-joo, head of the forestry and garden department, said, “This award is the result of the active cooperation of the county residents, the close cooperation system with forest fire-related agencies, and the active prevention activities and training of public officials.” “I will do my best,” he said.
Meanwhile, Damyang-gun requested special attention to prevention and compliance with personal hygiene rules as the number of whooping cough patients has recently increased rapidly nationwide and pertussis patients are also occurring among local teenagers.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease that is spread through droplets and can also be transmitted indirectly through contaminated objects.
It is characterized by symptoms that usually start with a runny nose and mild cough and progress to paroxysmal coughing, but recently confirmed cases do not show typical whooping cough clinical symptoms and are often discovered with a mild cough.
In particular, it occurs more often in children and adolescents under 6 months of age who have not yet completed their vaccinations than in adults in their 20s or older, so a total of 6 timely vaccinations are required (2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, 4-6 years, 11-year-olds). ~12 years of age), and adults such as parents and caregivers of infants and young children, workers at postpartum care centers, and workers at educational facilities also need to be vaccinated in consideration of the epidemic situation.
To prevent whooping cough: ▲Wash your hands properly (wash with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds) ▲Practice cough etiquette (cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve) ▲Ventilate frequently indoors (at least 3 times a day, 10 minutes each time) ▲Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands ▲If you have coughing symptoms, wear a mask and visit a medical institution. Receiving medical treatment ▲You must follow preventive rules, such as receiving timely vaccinations.
A military official said, “Recently, it has become very popular among children and adolescents, so if you suspect whooping cough or come into contact with a symptomatic person, we recommend that you refrain from going to school or hospital and seek medical attention promptly.” He added, “We must be alert to the outbreak of respiratory infectious diseases in the winter and have a daily routine.” “Please follow preventive rules, such as washing your hands and observing cough etiquette,” he said.
According to statistics from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of the 13th, there were 33,079 pertussis patients nationwide, 1,453 in Jeonnam, and 6 in Damyang.
Economy Queen reporter Choi Hana photo Damyang-gun
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How can community involvement impact the effectiveness of forest fire prevention measures?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Min-soo Jang, Forest Fire Prevention Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon, Dr. Jang, and thank you for joining us today. We’ve just learned that Damyang-gun has won the ‘Best Award’ in the 2024 Forest Fire Prevention and Response Evaluation for two consecutive years. This is a tremendous achievement!
Dr. Min-soo Jang (MSJ): Good afternoon, and thank you for having me! Yes, it is indeed a significant accomplishment not only for Damyang-gun but also for sustainable forest management practices in the region.
TNE: What do you think are the key factors that led to Damyang-gun’s success in this evaluation?
MSJ: Damyang-gun has demonstrated a well-rounded approach to forest fire prevention. They’ve actively promoted awareness through campaigns to stop illegal burning, which is a common issue in many regions. Moreover, their commitment to training firefighting personnel and collaborating with related organizations has greatly improved their response capabilities.
TNE: It sounds like a comprehensive strategy. Can you explain the evaluation criteria used in this assessment?
MSJ: Certainly! The evaluation consists of seven indicators under four main areas: ‘Forest Fire Prevention’, ‘Promotion’, ‘Preparedness and Response’, and ‘Cooperation’. This thorough framework ensures that each city or county is assessed on multiple fronts, making the evaluation more holistic and effective.
TNE: It must be tough to secure such a top spot among 22 cities and counties. What do you think distinguishes Damyang-gun from others?
MSJ: One major distinguishing factor is their proactive stance on community involvement. Governor Lee Byeong-no emphasized the vital role of local residents, which highlights the importance of building a cooperative system among government bodies and the community. It’s not just about the government; it’s about everyone working together.
TNE: On the day of the awards, Damyang-gun also received recognition in the Jeollanam-do forest fire extinguishing and integrated command contest. Can you elaborate on what that entails?
MSJ: Absolutely. This contest is crucial for evaluating how well teams can deploy command vehicles and establish effective firefighting operations rapidly. Damyang-gun excelled in demonstrating efficiency in strategy and real-time situation management, which are essential skills during emergencies.
TNE: As we celebrate this success, there’s also the rising concern about the pertussis outbreak mentioned in the report. How does this relate to public health and community awareness in the context of forest management?
MSJ: That’s a critical connection. While we focus on fire prevention, public health remains equally important. The approach that Damyang-gun takes to educate residents about personal hygiene and vaccination is a reminder that community awareness contributes to overall safety—be it from forest fires or contagious diseases.
TNE: It’s interesting how environmental health and public health intertwine. How can other municipalities learn from Damyang-gun’s example?
MSJ: Other regions can adopt similar strategies by emphasizing community engagement, regular training exercises, and proactive health measures. Sharing success stories, like Damyang-gun’s, can inspire other local governments to implement their programs more effectively.
TNE: Thanks for your insights, Dr. Jang. Any final thoughts you’d like to share about forest fire prevention strategies moving forward?
MSJ: The future of forest fire management relies heavily on a multifaceted approach—combining education, training, community involvement, and inter-agency cooperation. Continued commitment through proactive measures will be essential, especially as climate change impacts our environments.
TNE: Thank you again for your valuable expertise, Dr. Jang. It’s been a pleasure discussing this important topic with you!
MSJ: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing more advancements in forest fire prevention across South Korea.
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This interview highlights both the achievement of Damyang-gun and the interconnectedness of community participation, public health, and environmental conservation while underscoring the expert’s authority in the field.