Gurye, South Korea – Jirisan National Park South Jeolla Office (Director Kim Eun-chang) is bolstering its visitor safety management efforts by enlisting the energy and expertise of young adults. On May 9th, the office's volunteer center hosted an inauguration ceremony for the "Jirisan National Park Visitor Safety Management University Supporters Group," marking the official commencement of their activities.

This newly formed support group comprises 12 students from the Department of Emergency Medical Technology at Cheongam College in Suncheon. Over the coming months, these students will play a vital role in raising safety awareness among visitors to Jirisan National Park and promoting a culture of safety. Furthermore, they will gain valuable practical experience through direct exposure to various tasks within the national park administration.

The primary activities of the university supporters will focus on providing on-site safety support and conducting safety campaigns for hikers. They are slated to offer practical safety education, including demonstrations of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid procedures, and will operate mobile safety education centers to directly engage with visitors. The students will also actively participate in campaigns aimed at establishing a safe hiking culture. Notably, their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, characteristic of the MZ generation, are expected to inject new vitality into existing safety management approaches. The supporters officially began their activities following the inauguration ceremony in May.

Jirisan National Park's expansive and rugged terrain inherently presents various safety hazards. Risks such as straying off trails, slips, falls, and sudden weather changes can lead to unforeseen emergencies. Elderly visitors and those with limited hiking experience require particularly close attention regarding safety. In this context, the involvement of the university supporters group is anticipated to provide substantial assistance in ensuring visitor safety. The emergency medical technology students' specialized knowledge and youthful vigor can contribute to a more rapid and effective response in emergency situations, allowing for the provision of more approachable and proactive safety services to visitors.

Lee Sang-won, Head of the Disaster and Safety Division at the Jirisan National Park South Jeolla Office, expressed optimism, stating, "Through the activities of the university supporters, we anticipate not only an increased awareness of disaster safety among visitors but also a strengthening of the response capabilities at safety management sites." He further requested "much anticipation and interest in the visitor safety management services involving the younger generation and the various activities aimed at promoting a national park safety culture." This statement underscores the national park's commitment to leveraging the participation and innovative ideas of young people to advance its visitor safety management system.

The establishment of this supporters group exemplifies Jirisan National Park's prioritization of visitor safety and its commitment to pursuing multifaceted efforts to achieve this goal. While past safety management primarily relied on national park personnel, there is a growing trend towards strengthening safety systems through collaboration with volunteers and local communities. In particular, the involvement of professionals-in-training, such as these university students, is significant in enhancing the efficiency of safety management and providing more specialized safety services to visitors.

Looking ahead, the Jirisan National Park Visitor Safety Management University Supporters Group is expected to undertake a range of activities beyond simple safety campaigns. These may include inspecting trail safety, providing initial support in emergency situations, and offering customized safety information to visitors. Their contributions are anticipated to play a crucial role in providing a safer and more enjoyable hiking environment for all who visit Jirisan. Moreover, the experience gained by the participating students will provide a valuable foundation for their future careers as environmental protection and safety management professionals, enhancing their understanding of national park management.

This initiative by the Jirisan National Park South Jeolla Office is being lauded as a new model for national park safety management. By actively engaging the younger generation, it aims to raise visitor safety awareness, strengthen practical safety management capabilities, and simultaneously educate future generations on the importance of national park conservation. The future development of Jirisan National Park's safety management system through the activities of this university supporters group is a matter of keen interest.

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