Fire Agency Supports 'Fire Helicopter Transport' for Vaccine Adverse Reaction Cases in 'Islands and Remote Areas'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The National Fire Agency announced on the 25th that it will provide fire emergency medical helicopter transport support for COVID-19 vaccine adverse reaction cases in islands and remote areas to assist quarantine authorities in COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Starting with COVID-19 vaccinations for those aged 75 and older beginning in April, as vaccine administration expands to the entire population, the number of adverse reaction cases is expected to increase accordingly. In islands and remote areas where emergency medical facilities are insufficient, immediate response to vaccine adverse reactions is challenging.

In the event of an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine, calling 119 will prompt the 119 situation room to determine whether to dispatch an ambulance or helicopter. If necessary, medical consultation and guidance related to vaccine adverse reactions can be provided through emergency medical personnel and medical directors.

Additionally, on the 23rd, the National Fire Agency instructed the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters and city/provincial fire headquarters to establish an immediate response system to transport severe emergency patients confirmed or suspected of infectious diseases by fire emergency medical helicopters, provided that appropriate safety measures for safe helicopter operation and prevention of infectious disease spread are implemented.

Until now, domestic emergency medical helicopters have restricted transport of infectious disease patients to protect pilots and crew members. However, amid the ongoing spread of COVID-19, if severely ill emergency patients suspected or confirmed to have infectious diseases face restrictions on helicopter transport, there is concern about missing the golden time, leading to serious prognosis deterioration and increased mortality.

In response, the National Fire Agency has conducted helicopter compatibility tests on 11 types of negative pressure stretchers distributed domestically in two phases and held the 'Central Rescue Headquarters and City/Province Fire Helicopter Pilots Meeting' to gather opinions and build consensus among stakeholders for helicopter transport of infectious disease patients, preparing necessary measures.

The National Fire Agency plans to first apply this to 11 medium-sized or larger fire helicopters capable of installing partitions between the cockpit and cabin and loading negative pressure stretchers. Pilots, aviation crew, and paramedics must wear Level D (5-piece set) personal protective equipment when transporting patients suspected of infectious diseases to prevent infection.

Based on the operation results of fire helicopters, the National Fire Agency will consider reflecting these measures in the 'Inter-Ministerial Emergency Medical Helicopter Joint Operation Manual,' which applies to six ministries including the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

A National Fire Agency official stated, "This measure is expected to contribute to securing the golden time for emergency patients and increasing survival rates," adding, "119 will continue to take the lead in actively cooperating with public and private efforts to end COVID-19."

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