Fire Agency to Operate 'Heatwave Response System' Until End of September... Implementing Comprehensive Fire Safety Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The National Fire Agency announced on the 24th that it has prepared a 'Comprehensive Firefighting Activity Plan' to cope with the summer heatwave and will operate the heatwave response system until September 30.

The National Fire Agency has formed the Heatwave 119 Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in accordance with the heatwave weather advisory and, in cases where the daytime maximum temperature is 35 degrees Celsius or higher for two or more consecutive days (heatwave advisory), it has established detailed response stages from the preparation phase up to Level 3 of the Central Emergency Rescue Control Team according to the heatwave level and decided to implement them.

Also, to provide rapid emergency treatment for heat-related emergency patients, all 1,474 ambulances nationwide are equipped with ice vests and packs, saline solution, injection sets, salt, electrolyte solutions, and water sprays. The National Fire Agency’s Central Ambulance Situation Management Center, composed of emergency medicine specialists, along with ambulance centers nationwide, will provide real-time emergency medical guidance and consultation when heat-related illness patients occur.

In addition, the National Fire Agency plans to prioritize drinking water support for drought-affected areas and vulnerable groups, and provide water supply support to livestock farms upon request to prepare for livestock deaths.

From late June to late August, when water play activities surge, the summer 119 Citizen Water Rescue Team will be operated. In particular, pre-inspections will be conducted in high-risk water play death areas and areas where deaths have occurred, while safety personnel will be deployed and ambulances stationed nearby at 282 vulnerable locations to prepare for accidents.

For the safety of firefighters working on site, when a heatwave advisory is issued, safety supplies such as ice vests, cooling scarves, and refined salt will be stocked in each dispatch vehicle, and shift cycles will be shortened during prolonged field activities to ensure the safety and efficient operation of the personnel.

Meanwhile, in 2018, there were 4,526 heat-related illness patients and 48 deaths in South Korea, and in 2019, 1,841 patients and 11 deaths occurred. Last year, related to the heatwave, 119 ambulance teams responded to 951 cases, provided emergency treatment to 899 people, and transported them to hospitals. Additionally, a total of 808 water supply operations amounting to 6,164 tons were supported for drought areas and vulnerable groups.

Kim Il-su, Director of the 119 Rescue and Ambulance Bureau at the National Fire Agency, urged, "If a heatwave occurs along with COVID-19 prevention measures, daily life will become more difficult, so children, the elderly, and patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should always check the weather forecast before going out and refrain from outdoor activities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.