The Small Business Market Promotion Agency is establishing a collaborative system to quickly respond to fire prevention in traditional markets.
On July 8, the agency signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Fire Agency to create and operate the 'Intelligent Dispatch System for Traditional Markets' aimed at fire prevention and rapid initial response, the agency announced on July 9.
The 'Intelligent Dispatch System' involves creating an electronic map of spatial information, including roads and stores within traditional markets, and linking it to the 119 dispatch route guidance system. This allows fire trucks to be guided along the optimal route to the fire-affected store, ensuring a critical response time.
Traditional markets often face challenges during emergencies due to multiple entry points, narrow passageways, and irregular store layouts, making it difficult for vehicles to access the scene quickly. Additionally, when information about the fire-affected store is unavailable, the guidance is limited to public parking lots or adjacent roads, restricting on-site response.
Last June, the agency collaborated with the Jeonbuk Fire Department to introduce this system at Jeonju South Market, marking the first implementation of such a system nationwide. As a result, the time taken for on-site responses was significantly reduced, demonstrating improved initial fire response capabilities.
With this agreement, both agencies plan to expand the system, building on the successes observed at Jeonju South Market to other traditional markets across the country.
The agency will also continue various collaborative efforts, including joint campaigns for fire prevention in traditional markets, safety education and promotion, real-time information sharing during disasters, and establishing a joint inspection system between local fire departments and the agency's regional centers.
Earlier, in May, the agency received the 'Contribution Award' at the 53rd anniversary ceremony of the Korea Fire Insurance Association for its efforts in conducting fire safety training for 'Traditional Market Safety Guardians' to enhance rapid on-site response capabilities during emergencies. The agency has also encouraged voluntary fire safety management activities through a '10-point fire safety self-activity' program involving merchants.
In Tae-yeon, the agency's chairman, stated, "Given the structural characteristics of traditional markets, where stores are densely packed, fire prevention and initial suppression are of utmost importance. We will do our best to build a tighter safety net through close cooperation with the National Fire Agency, ensuring that merchants and the public can visit traditional markets with peace of mind."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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