Busan expands LCT stair climbing competition to international firefighters

Firefighters prepare at the start line during the 2023 National Firefighters Stair Climbing Competition held at LCT Tower in Busan, Oct. 25, 2023. Newsis

The Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, which organizes the annual Haeundae LCT Stair Climbing Competition for firefighters across Korea, announced on Friday that it will expand the event internationally. This October, for the first time, firefighters from abroad will be invited to participate, in collaboration with the National Fire Agency (NFA).

The NFA is currently in talks with firefighting agencies from approximately 10 countries. If these discussions lead to confirmed participation, the event will be elevated to an international level, transforming it from a traditional domestic competition into a global one.

In addition to international participation, the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters is collaborating with 19 local emergency response agencies, such as police, military units, emergency medical centers, and gas and electricity safety organizations, for special involvement in the event.

The 2024 LCT Stair Climbing Competition is scheduled for Oct. 30. Details regarding the scale of the event, including the number of participants, are expected to be finalized by mid-September. The event takes place in the 411-meter-tall, 100-story LCT Tower, Busan's tallest building and the second tallest in the country. The competition is designed to simulate high-rise disaster response training.

Firefighters will climb 2,372 steps while wearing full firefighting gear, including 20 kilograms of equipment. The event's popularity has surged, with 895 firefighters participating last year. This increase in interest has led the Busan City Council to boost the budget for this year's competition.