Emergency response drone deployments by South Korean fire departments have increased nearly threefold over the past three years. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — Emergency response drone deployments by South Korean fire departments have increased nearly threefold over the past three years, showcasing the growing role of unmanned aircraft in disaster response and search operations.
According to data released by the National Fire Agency on February 26, drone deployments rose from 1,691 in 2021 to 4,623 in 2023, marking an increase of 2,932 missions. The total number of deployments during this period reached 12,579, averaging approximately 3,100 missions annually.
As of late 2024, fire departments nationwide maintained a fleet of 676 drones, which are primarily used for disaster site assessment and missing person search and rescue operations.
To improve disaster response capabilities using drones, the National Fire Agency is hosting a two-day joint training session for drone operators from fire departments across the country, beginning February 27 at BEXCO in Busan. The training will cover policy direction sharing, presentation of successful drone operation cases, and discussions on strengthening the use of drone information in field command operations. Participants will also review improvements for the Fire Commissioner’s drone competition.
“We will do our utmost to protect citizens’ lives and property through efficient operation of fire department drones,” said Yoon Sang-gi, director of the Equipment Technology Bureau at the National Fire Agency.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
