Halloween approaching: 28 locations nationwide, including Itaewon and Hongdae, placed under intensive monitoring... Ambulances to be deployed in advance

[Financial News]  Ahead of Halloween, ambulances will be deployed in advance to 28 areas nationwide expected to draw large crowds, including Itaewon and Hongdae in Seoul. Authorities will closely inspect accident-prone areas such as narrow alleys and slopes where crowds gather, and plan to deploy firefighting resources from across the country if a situation raises concerns about mass casualties. 
On the 22nd, the National Fire Agency (NFA) announced the “Fire Safety Support Measures for Large Crowds.” The measures will be in effect for 10 days, from the 23rd through November 1. They cover 28 areas nationwide expected to draw large crowds, selected by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
This year, Halloween falls on the 31st, just after the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon disaster. Fire authorities have designated the three days from the 30th through November 1 as an intensive monitoring period, anticipating that crowds will gather.
First, working with relevant agencies, authorities will inspect narrow alleys, slopes and bottleneck areas where crowds could gather all at once. They will check for objects obstructing passage and ensure that fire safety facilities around event venues are operating properly.
Ambulances will be pre-positioned in major crowd hotspots so they can be dispatched immediately if an emergency occurs.
The heads of local fire stations will also serve on duty in command roles. If an accident occurs, fire response stages will be promptly activated from the outset. If necessary, personnel and equipment from other regions will also be deployed under a National Fire Mobilization Order.
The NFA will establish a “Halloween Situation Response Task Force” to oversee the situation nationwide. Fire headquarters in all 19 metropolitan and provincial governments will also form on-site response teams and monitor crowd concentrations in real time.
National Fire Agency Commissioner Choi Yong-cheol said, “We will thoroughly eliminate risks in advance and respond proactively if an emergency arises to protect the lives and safety of the public.”


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