Bringing the heat: USAG Daegu brings community together during Fire Safety Month

By Mathew GleesonOctober 11, 2021

CAMP WALKER, Republic of Korea — USAG Daegu Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) capped off Fire Prevention Week with an interactive open house at Camp Walker's Kelly Field on October 9th. The event included an afternoon of demonstrations, booths and informational displays for more than a thousand Soldiers, civilians and families.

This is the fifth straight year USAG Daegu has hosted this event. It marks a continued, award-winning partnership between the garrison's emergency services and local South Korean first responders.

USAG Daegu and their public partners received the 2020 Army Community Partnership Award for creating a mutual aid agreement for joint fire response. The partnership improves quality of life for Soldiers and their families in South Korea, enhances Army readiness and modernization capabilities, and is building stronger community relationships.

USAG Daegu emergency services helps protect more than 20,000 square miles of the geographically separated garrison, including 11,000 U.S. personnel and more than $2.5 billion in U.S. infrastructure.

Mike Diehl, USAG Daegu's Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief, speaks to a crowd of Area IV community members during a fire safety demonstration at Camp Walker, Oct. 9, 2021. The demonstration was designed to teach the dangers of putting out an oil fire with water.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mike Diehl, USAG Daegu's Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief, speaks to a crowd of Area IV community members during a fire safety demonstration at Camp Walker, Oct. 9, 2021. The demonstration was designed to teach the dangers of putting out an oil fire with water. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mathew Gleeson) VIEW ORIGINAL
Michael Champaco, USAG Daegu Fire and Emergency Services Training Chief, gives the thumbs up before a vehicle extraction demonstration. The event was just one of many hosted by USAG Daegu Emergency Services during an open house on October 9th, 2021.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Michael Champaco, USAG Daegu Fire and Emergency Services Training Chief, gives the thumbs up before a vehicle extraction demonstration. The event was just one of many hosted by USAG Daegu Emergency Services during an open house on October 9th, 2021. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mathew Gleeson) VIEW ORIGINAL

The open house kicked off with a parade led by emergency service vehicles before transitioning into a number of events designed to educate and inform. Highlights included obstacle courses, fire safety demonstrations and live music courtesy of the Eighth Army Band.

"It's a great opportunity to bring our community together and educate them about fire safety," said Mike Diehl, Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

"This year's theme is 'Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety', so as part of the kickoff we had smoke detectors present to help educate the crowd on what those sounds are. We also demonstrated the dangers of trying to put an oil fire out with water," said Diehl.

A USAG Daegu firefighter splashes water on an oil fire as part of a live demonstration in support of Fire Prevention Week. The event was just one of many hosted by USAG Daegu Emergency Services during an open house on October 9th, 2021.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A USAG Daegu firefighter splashes water on an oil fire as part of a live demonstration in support of Fire Prevention Week. The event was just one of many hosted by USAG Daegu Emergency Services during an open house on October 9th, 2021. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mathew Gleeson) VIEW ORIGINAL
A young boy sprints forward during an junior firefighters obstacle course event at Camp Walker, Republic of South Korea. The event was just one of many hosted by USAG Daegu Emergency Services during an open house on October 9th, 2021.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A young boy sprints forward during an junior firefighters obstacle course event at Camp Walker, Republic of South Korea. The event was just one of many hosted by USAG Daegu Emergency Services during an open house on October 9th, 2021. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Mathew Gleeson) VIEW ORIGINAL

"Today was just another demonstration of the support that we have from our local partners. Our 1-1-9 host nation partners are here. They took part in the parade and they've also helped out with some of our educational demonstrations," said Diehl.

"We absolutely have a bond. Firefighters always kind of end up flocking together, so it's a bond and a family atmosphere that we share with one another."

Do you know what emergency numbers to call while in Area IV?

  • Dial 9-1-1- from any DSN phone to report your emergency
  • Dial 0503-364-5911 from your mobile phone
  • For off-post emergencies you can dial 0503-364-5911 from your mobile phone and the Fire Department dispatchers will translate your emergency to the local first responders.
  • The off-post emergency number is 1-1-9. You can also call that and wait for a translator.