False 119 Calls Decrease in Gyeongnam Region... Zero False Calls in Q1 This Year

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Recent analysis of 119 emergency calls in the Gyeongnam region shows a significant decrease in prank and false reports.

According to the 119 call analysis, there were a total of 84 prank calls reported to 119 over the past three years (2018-2020), but the number has been decreasing each year, and in the first quarter of this year, not a single case was reported.

An official from the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters believes that the decrease in prank and false reports is due to continuous safety education and publicity, which have greatly improved the safety awareness of the residents.

The Fire Headquarters delivers the dangers of prank and false reports through press releases and social networking services (SNS) at least once every quarter.

The 119 Comprehensive Situation Room plans to actively focus on education and publicity regarding the proper 119 reporting procedures in response to the decrease in prank and false calls.

In fact, the most challenging part when receiving a 119 report is inaccurate reporting and insufficient on-site information.

In the case of fire reports, after connecting to 119, explaining specific on-site conditions such as the disaster location, business name, building structure, presence of casualties, and fire progression helps the field activities.

If the reporter does not know the exact address or location, providing the name and phone number of a nearby large building, the utility pole number attached to the telephone pole (an 8-digit pole number tag), or highway distance markers can help accurately identify the location.

Additionally, activating the GPS on a smartphone to check latitude and longitude is also an efficient way to determine the reporter’s location.

Kim Sungkyu, head of the 119 Comprehensive Situation Room, said, "Now, 119 reporting is not just a simple role of the reporter but emphasizes the role as a collaborator in initial response during disaster situations," and added, "When reporting to 119, calmly and accurately conveying information allows firefighters to quickly reach the residents."

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