Comparative Analysis of Emergency Rescue Exercises for Large-Scale Disasters in Korea and Japan

Abstract

Korea is conducting emergency rescue drills led by fire agencies in preparation for a major disaster. On the other hand, in Japan, when large-scale disasters occur, Emergency Fire Response Teams (EFRTs) from national fire headquarters are mobilized by requests or orders from the director-general of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. EFRTs perform emergency rescue together with the Inter-Prefectural Emergency Rescue Unit of the National Police Agency, a disaster relief unit of the Self-Defense Forces, Technical Emergency Control Force of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Disaster Medical Assistance Team of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Thus, EFRTs perform these exercises in collaboration with these working institutions. This study suggests the introduction of national mobilization of EFRTs and mobilization by various means such as transport planes of Self-Defense Forces or large helicopters, hutment training, and self-sufficient rear support exercises, such as Japan has done national exercises, and annual joint exercises of emergency fire response teams in block units.