Every year, forest fires rage across the globe, leaving behind scars to Mother Earth—destroying ecosystems, displacing wildlife, and contributing to climate change. These devastating events are not just natural disasters; many are preventable, and it is the collective responsibility of every individual to help stop and mitigate them.
With this shared sense of urgency and purpose, five AFoCO Fellowship Officials participated an intensive four-day training from 27th – 30th May 2025 led by seasoned officials of the Forest Aviation Headquarters in Wonju-si, Gangwon-do (Korea Helitack) in collaboration with the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) Capacity Building and Evaluation Team. The course equipped the five fellowship officials from Bhutan, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand with advanced aerial firefighting techniques and disaster response skills—enhancing their capacity to monitor, assess, and combat wildfires effectively and efficiently.
Key Highlight of the Training Program
The four-day intensive training conducted by Korea Helitack offered a well-rounded blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, aimed at strengthening wildfire response readiness. The key components of the training included:
1. Introduction to Aerial Wildfire Suppression Operations
Fellows were introduced to Korea’s highly coordinated wildfire response system, with a particular focus on aerial suppression strategies that play a critical role in rapid and large-scale fire containment. Korea Helitack operates a diverse fleet of helicopters, each equipped with specialized capabilities for different wildfire scenarios—ranging from water bombing to rapid personnel deployment in remote or rugged terrain. This session provided insights into how aerial operations are integrated with ground-based efforts, showcasing the efficiency and effectiveness of Korea’s multi-tiered wildfire management approach.
2. Wildfire Site First Aid and Safety
The training placed strong emphasis on the diverse hazards present at wildfire sites and offered practical guidance on administering first aid tailored to different types of safety- related incidents. Fellows also received hands-on training in performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), equipping them with essential life-saving skills to respond effectively during wildfire emergencies.
3. Importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
A dedicated session underscored the critical importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in wildfire suppression activities. Fellows learned how PPE serves as the first line of defense against the intense heat, smoke, falling debris, and other hazards commonly encountered during fire operations. The session covered the proper use, types, and maintenance of essential gear such as fire-resistant clothing, helmets, gloves, boots, and respiratory protection. Emphasis was placed on how wearing the right PPE not only minimizes physical risk but also enhances operational efficiency and team coordination in high-risk environments.
4.Understanding Forest Wildfires in South Korea
This session provided an in-depth overview of South Korea’s wildfire control system, highlighting the country’s structured and technology-driven approach to wildfire prevention, detection, and response. Fellows explored the various types of wildfires commonly experienced across different forest landscapes, including surface, crown, stem and ground fires, and examined how regional factors such as topography, vegetation types, and seasonal weather patterns influence fire behavior.
5.Mastery of direct and indirect Wildfire Suppression Techniques
Trainees were equipped with both direct wildfire suppression techniques—such as the effective use of water pumps—and indirect methods, including fireline construction, which is essential for containing and controlling fire spread, especially in difficult terrain.
Additionally, the fellows received instruction in rappelling, a critical skill in wildfire suppression that enables access to hard-to-reach areas. It is also crucial in the conduct of rescue operations during wildfires to ensure safety of the local people in affected communities. The training included practical ground-based rappelling exercises, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience and build confidence in this vital tactic.
6.Introduction to Korea’s Forest Drone Technology
The program concluded with a foundational overview of forest drones used in Korea, including their operational procedures and potential in fire detection and monitoring. And as well as for aerial filming during the wildfire incident.
Participants Feedback
Five AFoCO Fellowship Officials wholeheartedly shared their insights and key takeaways from this enriching training journey. Their feedback not only reflects the effectiveness of the training but also underscores the value of continued knowledge exchange and capacity building among forestry professionals.
Ms. Kelzang Choden, Fellowship Official from Bhutan
“I was truly overwhelmed—not just by the depth of knowledge shared during the training, but by the passion, generosity, and warmth of every instructor. They went beyond theory, opening their hearts to share real-life experiences forged on the frontlines of wildfire management. The training itself was a journey—starting with CPR, a critical yet often underestimated life-saving skill. I gained a newfound appreciation for the importance of personal protective equipment and was fascinated by the range of tools and technologies used in wildfire suppression, including the impressive helicopters. What struck me most was the level of coordination and teamwork during fireline construction and water suppression drills. The seamless distribution of roles, the energy, and the power of the water pumping systems all came together in a display of true operational excellence. I am deeply grateful to Helitack for their time, effort, and for sharing such valuable knowledge with us.”
Ms. Barsbold Natsagdorj, Fellowship Official from Mongolia
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation for this valuable training. I have learned and understood many important things that will be very useful not only in my field of work but also in everyday life. I would also like to sincerely thank our dedicated instructors for their clear and thorough explanations of many important topics specifically on fire suppression, first aid, and the use of advanced modern technologies such as drones. Another important thing I saw was teamwork, understanding, and harmony. I saw this clearly in your team. This training has been a truly valuable experience, and I will do my best to share what I have learned with others and apply it in practice. Thank you once again for this opportunity. You are all heroes. I am truly proud of you.”
Mr. Nay Aung, Fellowship Official from Myanmar
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Director of the Forest Aviation Headquarters, the Helitack team leader and members, and all the lecturers for providing a valuable training program on forest fire suppression and drone education. The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical exercises greatly enhanced my understanding of CPR, PPE use, teamwork, and safe practices in wildfire response. I was especially impressed by the role of drones in fire suppression and forest monitoring, as well as the systematic wildfire management approach in South Korea. I also sincerely thank AFoCO for the opportunity to participate in this meaningful program. I truly appreciated the warm hospitality, clear instruction, and excellent organization throughout the training. This experience has broadened my knowledge and strengthened international collaboration in forest fire management.”
Mr. Nolie A. Molina, Fellowship Official from Philippines
“From the bottom of my heart, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Forest Aviation Headquarters especially to all the kind trainers and crews. Thank you for your kindness and generous sharing of your knowledge and skills pertaining to forest fire suppression strategies, first aid and safety measures, and proper use of drone. Rest assured that I will share all the knowledge and skills that I have learned. I will also treasure all the memories that I have experienced in this training. I am praying that the government will provide you the utmost assistance and privilege because your job is very risky and crucial in maintaining the security of the forest and the people. You are indeed one of our modern heroes. God bless and I hope someday we will see each other again.”
Ms. Aomjitr Sena, Fellowship Official from Thailand
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to forest Aviation Headquarters for providing us with this exceptional course. We got outstanding hospitality and support since the first step down in this area. The kind instructors showed us with their professionalism, dedication, enthusiasm and positive energy, which turn every session into a meaningful and fun experience, helping us grow both professionally and personally.
Our time together was short, but the bonds we have formed feel deep and lasting. We are forest family, let us continue this pledge of friendship and support each other in ensuring forest protection and conservation”.
Conclusion:
he training highlighted the importance of forest fire suppression strategies to combat forest fire. It also emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of the people in times of emergency. Lastly, the trainees learned about the essence of teamwork, camaraderie, and dedication to ensure success of every effort on forest protection and conservation. The practical application of forest fire suppression strategies can be different in each country depending on the topography and situation. All the lessons learned from this training must be shared and should be collaborated for better to save the forest from serious fire destruction.
Conclusion
The training underscored the necessity of technological integration in forest fire management and highlighted the commitment required from all parties to protect forests. By equipping officials with advanced skills and fostering international cooperation, the program significantly contributed to the global effort in forest conservation.
Key Takeaways
1. There are circumstances where helicopter operations become unfeasible—whether due to adverse weather, limited visibility, or challenging terrain. In such moments, the responsibility for wildfire suppression shifts entirely to ground personnel. This means that every one of us must be ready to act.
2. The trainees also learned the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation which is a crucial first aid procedure not only for the daily emergency circumstances but most especially inside the forest wherein the safety of the people is the top priority.
3. Preparedness becomes our strongest asset. It involves equipping ourselves with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to effectively implement both direct and indirect firefighting strategies. Our collective ability to respond swiftly and efficiently can make all the difference.
4. Wildfire management is not solely about reaction—it’s about anticipation and coordination. Ensuring that all team members are trained, physically fit, and mentally prepared is essential. Together, through proactive preparation and teamwork, we can confront even the most challenging fire scenarios without relying on aerial support.
5. These wildfires are often driven by human activities, significantly contributing to forest degradation and accelerating global warming. Strengthening local capacity to manage and mitigate wildfires is, therefore, an essential step toward protecting ecosystems and addressing climate change.
6. Given that forest fires have become a widespread and pressing issue across the globe, knowledge exchange programs and hands-on training like this are highly valuable. They provide an important platform for professionals to share their experiences, enhance their skills, and learn effective strategies from one another. Promoting such collaborative learning not only strengthens individual capacity but also contributes to more coordinated and resilient wildfire management efforts at regional and global levels.
The AFoCO 2025 Fellowship Officials would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Kim Manju, Director General of the Forest Aviation Headquarters, and his dedicated team for graciously hosting and facilitating such an exceptional and impactful learning experience. Their unwavering support and warm hospitality greatly contributed to the success of the program.
Contributed by 2025 Five (5) Fellowship officials