A Moment of Respite for Firefighters’ Families, Too... Hope Bridge Holds Healing Camp in Namwon

[Financial News] A camp where firefighters working at disaster sites could rest with their families and share their feelings was held in Namwon, North Jeolla Province.
According to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association on the 29th, the association held the first session of the “2026 Firefighters’ Family Healing Camp” at the Sweet Hotel Namwon in cooperation with the National Fire Agency (NFA) and Namwon City. The three-day, two-night camp ran from the 27th through the 29th. A total of 99 people from 27 families of fire service personnel from across the country took part.
The camp was organized to support the well-being of fire service personnel and their families, who experience work-related stress and psychological burdens from responding to major disasters and the deaths of colleagues in the line of duty.
Participants enjoyed family activities around downtown Namwon and Jirisan, including viewing Gwanghallu at night, stargazing and morning yoga. Family-oriented programs included woodworking, instant photo sessions and “Challenge! Firefighter Golden Bell.” During family counseling sessions, they opened up about feelings they had been unable to share amid the tension of working in the field.
One participating firefighter said, “I spent some time truly relaxing with my family for the first time in a long while. They had always worried while I was out responding to calls.” The firefighter added, “I’m grateful to the supporters who have cheered on not only firefighters but their families as well.”
The National Fire Agency also operates a “Visiting Counseling Room” to support the mental health of fire service personnel. The program sends professional psychological counselors to fire stations and 119 Safety Centers to provide individual, group and in-depth counseling.
Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association plans to hold a second healing camp, inviting an additional 30 families of fire service personnel from across the country from November 18 to 20.
Shin Hoon, secretary-general of Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association, said, “Firefighters who devote themselves to public safety always have family members by their side who worry alongside them.” He said the association would continue supporting fire service personnel and their families.

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