Lee Chang-woo is credited with a number of inventions that helped fight fire more effectively, safely and in environment-friendly ways.

The most counterintuitive of his creations may be the online education course for fire and disaster prevention at Korea Soongsil Cyber University.

Since its launch in 2005, the department has been increasingly popular in line with growing demands for disaster response and safety management experts.

“Our department is the only four-year course in this country to teach the skills from fire fighting to natural disaster protection. It’s designed for students who will become experts in the fire-related profession,” said Lee, who is also the dean of the school’s admissions and student affairs.

The online course covers the study of fire development and prevention and the means to reduce damage to humans and the environment.

Students are required to learn knowledge across disciplines, including chemistry, physics, biology, electric engineering and construction engineering.

He said his long-term goal was to establish a post-graduate course in fire protection at KSCU.

“We aim to produce more highly skilled professionals and conduct high-quality research for the prevention of fire and natural disasters,” he added.

Lee is the nation’s leading expert in fire management and protection.

In 2011 he developed the country’s first solid aerosol fire extinguisher that is more practical and environment-friendly than typical dry-chemical extinguishers.

He also had done extensive research on various types of oxygen masks for firefighters and produced standards for the quality of air tank to be used.

He is currently working on various state-funded projects including one to develop improved measures to calculate financial loss of fire damage with support from the National Emergency Management Agency.

He is also working together with the Korea Fire Facility to establish new regulations for fire protection facilities.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)