• 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 the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.125-134
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• 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
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.17-35
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate basic data on preceptor's core competencies required for junior 119 paramedics to improve the quality of emergency care in the prehospital field. Methods: From February 23 to March 10, 2021, data were collected through structured mobile questionnaires from 163 paramedics working in Sejong, Daejeon, and Chung Nam fire stations. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The average score of core competencies for junior 119 paramedics accounted for the importance of core competency (3.92 points), level of competence (3.43 points), educational needs (3.65 points). Among them, the importance of a role model accounted for 4.02 points, the highest among the sub-areas. Additionally, there was a significant correlation (r=.686), which was the highest, between the importance and educational needs of core competency; therefore, higher the importance of core competency, higher are the educational needs. Conclusion: Preceptor's core competencies concern three domains: role model, socialization facilitation, and instructional design. It would be more effective for those with higher professionalism and professional self-development needs to be trained as a prehospital preceptor.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.97-102
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• 2019

This study suggests a solution of an incentive system from the viewpoint of the external effect on the renting of firefighting qualifications and on rental agencies. Currently, the Human Resources Development Service of Korea does not have a penalty for neglecting to perform a search into qualification lending and rental agencies. In the short term, the penal clause should be strengthened so that companies and qualification holders cannot borrow or lend their qualifications. In addition, the Human Resources Development Service of Korea will increase the number of personnel dedicated to investigating the loaning of qualifications. It is necessary for the government to establish a penalty for neglecting to investigate the lending of qualifications for the Human Resources Development Service of Korea. In the long term, the state needs to make only minimal regulations. Also, the state needs to make companies and qualification holders feel like they benefit more when they are not borrowing or lending qualifications. The anticipated effect of this study is that the government will intervene appropriately by applying firefighting qualifications according to market principles. It can also be used as a basis for the revision of related laws on the renting of national technical qualification certificates and the investigation of rental agencies.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.260-269
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• 2020

The Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) process is an enhanced method to extract oil from bitumen which involves surface and central process facilities. This paper describes the Central Process Facilities (CPF) of SAGD and proposes several retrofit plans to the Heat Exchanger Network (HEN). In this approach, the process integration scheme is applied to estimate the energy saving in HENs, and various cases are modeled in favor of a commercial simulator. Throughout this work, a minimum approach temperature of 10℃ is assumed. The results reveal that, due to the HEN optimization using process integration, the heating and cooling duties can be reduced to 29.68MW and 1.886MW, respectively. Compared with the Husky case, all cases considered in this study indicate a potential reduction of at least 6% in total cost, including investment and operation costs.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.104-111
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the CPR within ambulance. The Subjects were 890 emergency medical technicians in fire department in Gyeonggido. After continuing education program, the emergency medical technicians completed the questionnaires from January to February, 2012. Questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, method of chest compression (one handed or two handed), chest compression - ventilation ratio, and hands only CPR. Data were analyzed by frequency analysis and Chi-square test, t-test. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was followed by Scheffe post-hoc test to analyze changes in all parameters between all groups. One handed chest compression accounted for 14.0% and two handed chest compression accounted for 86.0%. Hands only CPR accounted for 71.7% and standard CPR (30:2) accounted for 28.3%. In order to perform the high quality CPR, as least three persons must be dispatched in the ambulance. The flexible management of manpower may improve the survival from the cardiac arrest. A systemic approach for educating and training EMT's in CPR is needed.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.19-33
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide basic data to aid in the effective adoption of the preceptor system for new paramedics by assessing the preceptor role awareness among senior 119 paramedics in the field. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 182 senior paramedics who each had more than 3 years field experience. The questionnaire measuring preceptor role awareness was composed of 64 items with responses based on a 5 point Likert scale. Data were collected from July 31, 2018 to August 29, 2018, and were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 24.0. Results: The average score for preceptor role awareness was 3.87 (supervisor = 3.95, resource person = 3.88, role model = 3.85, and instruction designer = 3.81). There were significant differences in preceptor role awareness among the participants based on competence (p =.002) and clinical skill (p =.000). Also, there were high positive correlations between preceptor role awareness and its subdivision (p <.01). Conclusion: For effective operation of the preceptor system in the future, the preceptors' role as designers of instruction and role models should be enhanced, Also, future preceptors are very important in the improvement of competence and clinical skill in the preceptor system. Therefore, it is necessary to provide training that enables new preceptors to effectively adopt and operate the preceptor system.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.217-226
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively examine the perception of fire officials for college students who need to prepare and choose fire officials, and to identify and present practical and specific improvement measures along with raising awareness of fire officials. In order to achieve the basic purpose of the study set above, we tried to find out whether there are differences in the general level of awareness of fire officials, the working environment of fire officials, and group welfare according to the gender, major, grade, family or relative of college students. The subjects of the study were 600 students enrolled in a four-year university in the Department of Firefighting, and 513 valid questionnaires were used. The survey contents were divided into three categories of perceptions of firefighting officials and consisted of 20 questions, and the frequency and percentage were calculated and compared using the SPSS/win (Ver10.0) program. As a result, first, compensation for awareness improvement and the expansion of safety facilities and equipment are necessary. Second, it is necessary to improve working conditions, such as guaranteeing appropriate working hours and raising and replenishing wages. Third, the results of the establishment of a national fire hospital and the need for psychological counseling were derived. Based on these results, we suggest that national-level laws and systems, and administrative and legislative support should be provided for firefighters.

• The Journal of Society for e-Business Studies
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.75-93
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• 2007

This paper presents real-time online early fire warning systems developed for preserving cultural properties of Bulguksa which is a world heritage designated by UNESCO. The system is based on the ubiquitous sensor network employing 900MHz and 2.4GHz bands. In this paper, we analyze requirements that should be considered in building effective management systems of cultural heritages by using wireless sensor network. Finally, we introduce the architecture, sensor and network design, and software design of the fire warning systems which is an initial version of U-Bulguksa. The current version of systems has been operating in Bukguksa for a few months. U-Bukguksa project sponsored by National Information Society Agency is ultimately aimed at developing an integrated system of U-cultural heritage management and U-tourism. The former aims to conserve and manage intangible cultural properties by providing a variety of environmental information such as erosion, crack, and gradient as well as fire which are important causes of loss and damage in real-time and online. The latter refers to the intelligent tourism information and guidance systems allowing tourists to get the personalized content on cultural heritages and help guidance with mobile devices in Bulguksa.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.105-111
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• 2018

Based on the Statistical Yearbook of 119 Emergency Medical Services in 2017 (National Fire Agency, 2018) and Population Projection by Province: 2015~2045 (Statistics Korea, 2017), this study analyzed the effects of population changes, such as low fertility and aging on the use of ambulance services in the future. The population of Korea is expected to decline after peaking in 2031, but the number of elderly people aged over 70 is expected to continue to increase. The rates of emergency ambulance transport (REAT, the number of patients transferred per 1,000 inhabitants) are not changed significantly, compared to the recent trends, but the ambulance services for elderly over 70 years of age will increase exponentially. Therefore, the population changes due to low fertility and aging is accompanied by a quantitative and qualitative change in ambulance services, and from the long term perspectives, it is necessary to consider not only the effective response of ambulance services due to aging, but also the adjustment of existing jurisdictions due to population changes and the relocation of manpower and resources.