• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.113-119
• /
• 2015

Recently, even though firefighting operations are supposed to be incorporated into single body IAW restructuring of the government organizations, in terms of efficiency it is still difficult to find any significant improvements due to the centrally and locally segregated operating bodies and also, as with organizations firefighting manpowers are divided nationally and locally, which results in differing firefighting functioning. Although governments firefighting bodies are changed to operate better, there are always limitations in firefighting operations. This study explores firefighting organizations, manpower, equipment and operations itself to optimize firefighting operations, and ultimately, to provide the future-oriented functions and roles of the firefighting aviation corps.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.87-97
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to compare and analyze statistical data on 119 ambulance runs and ambulance crew, which are the components of the emergency medical services system in Korea and Japan. Methods: Data from National Fire Agencies of both Korea and Japan were collected and statistically compared. Results: With regard to the ratio of 119 ambulance runs, Korea's ratio has been gradually and continuously growing beyond that of Japan (Korea 4708.11, Japan 4706.47) since 2014. The ratio of firefighting ambulances in Korea was 2.59 ($2.59{\pm}0.10$), and was 4.76 ($4.76{\pm}0.12$) in Japan. The ratio of 119 ambulance crews in Korea was 15.55 ($15.55{\pm}2.03$), and was 47.24 ($47.24{\pm}1.06$) in Japan. Among the ambulance crews, the ratio of paramedics was 33.81 ($33.81{\pm}5.85$) in Korea and was 38.86($38.86{\pm}4.10$) in Japan. Conclusion: The ratio of 119 ambulance runs in Korea has already exceeded that of Japan, but the numbers of 119 ambulance crews and paramedics qualified for special emergency treatment are still insufficient. Therefore, supply and demand policy that promotes the development of the firefighting ambulance service system is necessary.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.520-533
• /
• 2023

The present study developed a test protocol for evaluating the mobility of firefighting chemical and flame personal protective equipment (PPE) for the National 119 Rescue Headquarters in Korea and suggested ergonomic design factors to improve their mobility and performance. Six types of PPE were employed, including three types for flame protective PPE (5 ~ 6 kg excluding the self-contained breathing apparatus), and three types for chemical and flame protective PPE (8 ~ 11 kg). These PPEs are used by the 119 Rescue firefighters. Three male firefighters (34.3 ± 1.2 y in age, 175 ± 8 cm in height, 81 ± 13 kg in body weight) participated in the mobility test and interview. A mobility test protocol consisting of 16 components (nine postures and seven motions including a dexterity test) along with a visibility test were developed based on pre-interviews and literature reviews. The findings indicated that the clothing microclimate humidity on the neck and chest exceeded 85%RH on average for all the six PPE conditions, with the chest area reaching as high as 98%RH. This high humidity caused fogging inside the visor and impaired visibility. The requirements for improving the PPE design in terms of mobility varied depending on whether it was the separated types or all-in-one types, particularly regarding the hood and gloves design. The findings of this study can be applied to improve the design of Level A_PPE for firefighters. The mobility test protocol and visibility test developed in this study can also be applied to other types of Level A impermeable PPE.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.105-124
• /
• 2023

Modern society is facing an unstable environment due to unexpected accidents and hazardous situations. For example, incidents such as the collapse of the Bundang Bridge and the crushing accident in Itaewon could serve as examples. In addition to these, critical emergencies like sudden cardiac arrests and strokes frequently occur, requiring swift actions and smooth transfers to specialized medical institutions for effective responses. In response to these risks, the country has been establishing various systems to protect the lives and safety of its citizens. Among these, the 119 First Aid Activities plays a crucial role within the emergency medical system. Its goal is to promptly respond to critical emergency situations involving severe trauma patients or patients with serious illnesses, minimizing damage and safeguarding lives by swiftly transferring them to emergency medical institutions for specialized treatment. The core activity related to this is emergency rescue operations. In particular, the 119 First Aid system serves as a crucial institution responsible for the hospital transportation of emergency patients. However, rescue personnel still encounter cases of interference with their activities during their duties. Despite efforts from the police, these interference cases persist, and they share similarities with the crime of obstructing official duties. Interference with emergency activities exhibits a comparable nature to instances such as physical assaults and equipment damage against emergency medical practitioners working within the emergency medical system. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding and improvement efforts regarding the issues of interference that arise during the process of emergency medical activities, including the 119 First Aid system, are necessary. The solution to these problems is to establish and improve the conditions for obstruction of first aid activities, focusing on the "Framework Act on Firefighting" and the "Act on 119 Rescue and Emergency."

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
• /
• 2022.05a
• /
• pp.222-224
• /
• 2022

Korea has more than 2,000 fires and more than 2,000 casualties every year. This study takes measures to facilitate the incorporation of 119 fire trucks by judging vehicles or standing signs using real-time image reading YOLO5 before the fire trucks arrive at the fire site. It is possible to shorten the time to extinguish a fire by photographing a fire site, transmitting the situation of the site, and analyzing the components of smoke to determine the type of fire. As a result, it is expected that it will be able to minimize casualties by keeping the golden time.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.91-111
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to compare 119 emergency medical services (EMS) in South Korea and Japan to provide essential data for EMS improvement in South Korea. Methods: Recent data and regulations on firefighting and EMS in South Korea and Japan were analyzed and compared. Results: South Korea follows a centralized approach to EMS, whereas Japan operates with autonomous bodies that establish their own criteria. Japan considers more regional variables than South Korea. In South Korea, there are shortages in fire station deployment among the 119 emergency medical resources in certain regions, leading to significant regional disparities. South Korea has a larger population served by its 119 emergency medical resources with a higher workload and dispatch numbers than Japan. The percentage of non-transported patients among the total number of dispatches was higher in South Korea. Conclusion: Increasing the number of medical professionals and ambulances per population to the level of Japan to reflect local conditions and include various underlying variables such as daytime population, aging, and emergency dispatch conditions in the deployment of 119 emergency resources, and to reduce the deployment gap between regions, will contribute to improving the performance of the South Korea EMS system.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.125-134
• /
• 2022

Forest fires in Korea usually start in the fall and occur every year until spring. Most wildfires are human resources that combine topographical characteristics and carelessness, and failure to respond in the initial stage and lack of cleanup are spreading to large-scale wildfires. In order to prevent these wildfires, active cooperation from the public is essential. As can be seen from recent wildfires, the attention of the public is needed above all else because large-scale wildfires in Korea are occurring due to the people's negligence. If a wildfire spreads and becomes large, it causes damage to life and property, and the damage is irreversible. In this study, various methods were used to prevent forest fires and improve initial suppression ability. In order to minimize damage, the model analyzed by the 119 Special Rescue Team in Gangwon, Chungcheong and nearby forest fires was analyzed on the combustion progress and wind direction by time period. The propagation speed by the wind direction was simulated. Until now, most of the wildfires have been extinguished by firefighting, but I hope that the Forest Service will take the lead and maintain coordination with related organizations.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.119-127
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the necessity of administrative compensation insurance and claims cases during the emergency medical service process among administrative compensation insurance cases and suggests problems and improvement measures. Methods: We compared the details of administrative compensation insurance claims of 15 cities and provinces, excluding Seoul and Kwangju, from 2017 to 2020 by requesting details disclosure of the comprehensive deduction for administrative compensation in 17 cities and provinces across the country. Results: A total of 69 cases were compensated through the administrative comprehensive compensation deductions. There were 53 cases of damage that occurred at the field stage, 14 cases at the transfer and hospital stage, and two other cases. Conclusion: The 119 paramedics, which are the perpetrators, should be active in field activities and free from the psychological pressure caused by increased workload and litigation. Active compensation administration is required for damage cases occurring in the firefighting activities context.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.163-169
• /
• 2022

Recently, in Korea, if a very large forest fire occurs due to the people's carelessness, it is of great interest because it spreads into a large forest fire. If a wildfire spreads and becomes large, it will inflict great damage (appointment and property), and the damage is irreversible. The best way to extinguish a wildfire is to prevent it before it occurs. If a forest fire occurs due to a failure in prevention, the early firefighting activities to prevent the progress of the forest fire by promptly dispatching it by reporting it and approaching the site as soon as possible should now be managed with a systematic integrated management system. To do so, it is necessary to prepare a preventive system, such as issuing warnings for each weather condition by the Korea Forest Service, consisting of cooperation (support) activities for forest fire prevention by related organizations, etc. In order to minimize the loss of precious lives and forests, measures have been taken to establish a system, to establish a prompt and accurate situation reporting system, and to establish an integrated command system (ICS) for on-site commanders.

• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.26-38
• /
• 2023

This study aimed to develop a visually differentiated quarantine suit design for giving 119 paramedics comfort to work and psychological stability and to awaken awareness without fear or pressure of the public through literature review and practical research. Basic research was conducted on firefighting uniforms and quarantine suits in Korea and abroad, focusing on domestic and foreign related literature. An interview survey was conducted to identify the current status, problems, and preferences of the design. Research subjects were eight dispatched paramedics and two executives in Seoul and Gwangju. The survey period was from September 15, 2022 to October 10, 2022. Interviews were conducted through phone calls. Results of this study were as follows. Most of the quarantine suits currently worn were Level D style ready-made clothes without coverall patterns. The current quarantine suit was designed without reflecting the symbolism of the National Fire Agency. They were wearing a generous size without having to think about the fit. Most of these quarantine suits were white. In addition, the quarantine suit could not be equipped with a camera for the safety of paramedics. After identifying improvements based on results of the above interview analysis, the following quarantine suit design was proposed. First, it would be differentiated from other institutions by designing suits with symbolism. Second, the convenience of size, camera equipment, and better breathability and style than Level D should be considered. Based on these results, a total of five quarantine suits were designed.