• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to provide basic data for the improvement of the standards related to the performance improvement of the firefighting equipment standards for special ambulances. Methods: Among the domestic firefighting equipment standards, the special ambulance standard was compared with the NFPA 1917 standard for the United States automobile ambulance 2019 and European Union European standard EN 1789 medical vehicle and its equipment, a road ambulance. Results: Anti-skid performance based on indoor noise standards, performance standards for interior lights, seat belt warning device, child car seat fixing device, safety handle, auxiliary footrest, and flooring materials should be supplemented. Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen the production and performance standards for improvement to a level corresponding to the national standards, such as the United States and European Union.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Disaster Information Conference
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• 2023.11a
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• pp.204-206
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• 2023

본 연구는 현재 각 현장에서 사용되어지는 다양한 화재수신기의 DATA를 받기 위한 프로토콜 및 접점 포트 구현 및 통신3사(SKT, KT, LGU+)의 LPWA 모뎀을 통한 업링크 기능 또한 무선 업링크 전송 불가시 유선 업링크 기능을 구현하여, 어떠한 환경에서도 데이터를 서버로 전송할 수 있는 H/W 기술과 다양한 화재수신기의 Data를 수집/분석 전송할 수 있는 지능화한 S/W와 다양한 화재수신기의 데이터를 표준화하여 이를 적용한 펌웨어 고도화, 사용자 APP 및 UI를 개발하는데 목적이 있다.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2020

This study examines the development of content scenarios to facilitate the training of on-site commanders in firefighting activities. To establish the training content scenario system, the three core competencies of the on-site commanders were set as situation judgment, communication, and decision-making. A system of scenarios was established to actively reflect these three core competencies when designing the scenarios. All the contents of these scenarios are based on Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). The scenarios comprise 14 stages that are divided into four steps with the exception of stages 1 and 14, which mark the beginning and end of the training. It consists of the situation setting stage and the first, second, and third decision-making stages. Specifically, situation judgment and communication are important factors in each stage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.950-965
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• 2017

This present study proposed a newly developed test method to evaluate the dexterity and mobility of a firefighter's protective gloves. The first step evaluated the mobility and dexterity of the current type of fire protective gloves and three new types of protective gloves using Don-doff test, ASTM dexterity, Minnesota dexterity, Bennett hand tool test, and ASTM torque test. Three firefighters ($47.3{\pm}5.0yr$ in age, $178.6{\pm}2.9cm$ in height) participated in a series of experiments. The second step was to design and suggest an integrated test method based on the results of the first experiment. As a result of the first experiment, we concluded that 1) the mobility and dexterity tests for firefighting gloves should include both wet and dry tests, 2) The three kinds of dexterity tests could be integrated into one test, and 3) The don-doff test and the torque test should be independent from the newly developed integrated test. In summary, we suggested a simplified test method that combined ASTM dexterity, Minnesota dexterity, and Bennett hand tool test. The integrated system can reduce total time spent on dexterity tests and improve the validity of the test in terms of firefighters' manual work.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.67-76
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• 2018

Among the firefighting facilities, the fire department connection during firefighting is more important than any other facilities at the firefighting site to supply fire water. This study examined the water supply port of a fire department connection installed at an apartment building based on the Standard for Fire Safety (NFSC 502). The time of discovery was measured by fire fighters who knew or did not know of the water supply port installed in the apartment building, and by separating day and night. To maximize the use of the fire department connection which is the full fire extinguisher facility used by the fire brigade based on the results of the experiment, the author suggests improvement proposals that can clarify the installation location and install the location sign of the fire department connection for the Standard for Fire Safety (NFSC 502).

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2020

Background: Meta-analyses have shown firefighters to be at an increased risk of several cancer types. Occupational carcinogen exposure may explain these increased risks. This study aims to describe Norwegian fire departments' work conditions from 1950 until today, focusing on factors relevant for potential occupational carcinogen exposure. Methods: With the help of a reference group, we developed a questionnaire on topics related to occupational exposure to carcinogens for the period 1950-2018. Selected Norwegian fire departments provided department-specific responses. Results: Sixteen departments, providing fire services for 48% of the Norwegian population as of 2019 and mainly consisting of professional firefighters, responded to our questionnaire. The introduction of synthetic firefighting foams, more regular live fire training, the introduction of chemical diving, and a higher number of diesel-driven fire service vehicles were identified as changes thought to increase exposure to occupational carcinogens. Changes thought to decrease exposure included the switch from negative to positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatuses, the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses during all phases of firefighting, the use of ventilating fans during firefighting, increased attention to flammable materials used during live fire training, increased attention to handling and cleaning of turnout gear and other equipment, and installment of exhaust removal systems in apparatus bays. Conclusion: Norwegian fire departments' work conditions have seen several changes since 1950, and this could influence firefighters' occupational carcinogen exposure. A peak of carcinogen exposure may have occurred in the 1970s and 1980s before recent changes have reduced exposure.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.15-21
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• 2021

This study aims to derive the problems of firefighting and safety measures for architectural heritage with a wooden structure in rural areas and present their improvement measures. To identify those problems, this study grasped the features of the cultural heritage through the building structure and environment of a wooden Catholic secondary station in Dangjin, and analyzed fires that may occur and safety factors. As a result, although the mission station is an important cultural property in terms of its history, place and local identity, it had problems with disaster prevention systems such as vulnerable safety including fire and difficulties in fire recognition and initial firefighting. Therefore, this study concluded through its review and analysis that a disaster prevention system such as stronger firefighting is needed; that fire fighting facilities suitable for the characteristics of the secondary station with a wooden structure should be installed and a main player should be arranged in fire prevention activities to improve the fire prevention system of the cultural property; and that as most mission stations are located in rural areas, it is necessary to more thoroughly protect wooden-structure secondary stations from natural disasters such as forest fire and to improve fire response measures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.136-147
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to analyze four cases of firefighter burns in various fire scenes and to find prevention measures to decrease firefighter injuries. Among the analysis reports prepared by the National Fire Research Institute of Korea from 2016 to 2020, four burn-related accidents are summarized and the main causes are conveyed. The four accidents include second-degree burns from using extinguishers during containment of fires; nine firefighters burned due to re-ignition in the LPG car repair shop; two firefighters injured with third-degree burns from using fire extinguishers during life-saving events in residential housing; and injuries from the radiant heat of the tank BLEVE near the factory fire. These cases are comprehensively investigated in their respective scenes and analyzed based on the fire site investigation reports from the fire department and related theoretical explanations of risk for each accident scene. In the third case study, some experimental research is conducted to evaluate the risk involved with the use of safety gloves. This is evaluated by reviewing Fire Tactics and Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) to determine improvements and recommendations for an efficient firefighting response. Results show that the main causes of burn accidents are the insufficient use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety gloves, and the failure to follow firefighting tactics or SOPs. Through the accident investigation and assessment, it is concluded that to reduce the frequency of burn accidents, the performance of firefighting equipment, SOPs, protection tactics, and safety policy systems require improvement.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.451-458
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• 2018

This study was conducted to determine the association between quality of sleep (QOL) and the general characteristics, the health-behavioral factors, and the occupational characteristics of firefighting officers. The survey was conducted in October 2016 with a self-administered questionnaire using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) developed by Pittsburgh University, targeting 600 male firefighting officers working at five fire stations in D city. As a result, the QOL of the study subjects measured by the PSQI revealed 13.2% to be good, and 86.8% to be poor. In relation to general characteristics and health habits, the rate of the group who had poor quality sleep was significantly higher in those with a lower subjective health status, in the non-smoking group, and in the low sleep-quality group, compared to the good sleep-quality group. For occupational characteristics, the rate of those with poor quality sleep was significantly higher in groups such as the fire suppression group, the shift work group, the hard physical labor group, the group with a lower sense of satisfaction in their work, and in the group classed as unfit for the job but who were not considering quitting their jobs, compared to their respective counterparts. Multiple regression analysis revealed factors of influence with explanatory powers of 24.4% for subjective health status, alcohol use, subjective quality of sleep, career, job position, and physical labor. The results of this study suggest that the quality of sleep for firefighting officers is significantly related to general characteristics, health-behavioral characteristics, and occupational characteristics.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.103-114
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of apartment residents' safety education satisfaction and the application of fire protection plans on fire safety awareness. The analysis results are as follows. First, the low levels of satisfaction with safety education content had a negative effect on anxiety about fire safety. This means that apartment residents' low levels of interest or participation in education affected their safety awareness, which prevented them from securing safety from fire. It is necessary for control staff to have a positive impact on their educational satisfaction via the learning support information system, among others, in order to create a satisfying education and safety culture. Second, competence in the execution of firefighting plans had a positive effect on fire safety awareness. These results indicate that apartment residents do not have the opportunity to access the education and training necessary for safety, nor the legal responsibility to complete mandatory safety education, which leads to their lack of safety awareness. Therefore, the control staff need to raise awareness of fire safety and the importance of participating in safety education among apartment residents by strengthening and activating the execution of firefighting plans in order to ensure safe living. Third, the competency of the firefighting plans moderated the effects of apartment residents' educational satisfaction on their awareness of fire safety.