Training program runs through December, covering theory, hands-on practice and regular drills
The South Chungcheong Province Fire Service announced Tuesday it will run an aerial ladder truck operator training program through December, as demand for the vehicles at major fire scenes continues to grow.
The phased, tailored program aims to prevent gaps in emergency response caused by dedicated operators taking leave, attending other training or retiring, while also improving equipment proficiency and preventing accidents.
A total of 739 fire vehicle operators across the province are eligible. Training will rotate through the Chungcheong Fire Academy and all 16 fire stations in the province, covering equipment structure, operating principles, emergency procedures and rollover prevention — through both classroom instruction and hands-on drills.
"Aerial ladder trucks are essential equipment for rescuing people and suppressing fires in high-rise buildings," fire service chief Baek Seung-du said. "We will spare no effort to sharpen operators' expertise through repeated training so they can respond safely and swiftly in any situation."
Meanwhile, the number of high-rise buildings — those with 30 or more floors — in South Chungcheong Province has risen 46 percent, from 129 buildings in 2022 to 188 this year.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
