Jeonnam Fire Department Helicopter Emergency Patient 'Land Transport Operation' Plays Vital Role

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Jeonnam Fire Headquarters 119 Aviation Unit's fire helicopter is playing its role effectively.

According to Jeonnam Fire on the 31st, around noon on the 26th, Mr. A, residing on Nohwado Island in Wando County, was bitten on the right index finger by a snake while working in the field, experiencing breathing difficulties and pain, and was urgently transported by fire helicopter to a hospital on the mainland.

Earlier that day, around 7 a.m., Mr. Kang, residing on Soando Island in Wando County, severely injured the sole of his right foot in the rotating part of agricultural machinery, requiring urgent evacuation, and was safely transported by fire helicopter.

In this way, emergency patients occurring recently in island areas were quickly transported by fire helicopter to hospitals on the mainland.

Jeonnam Fire has conducted 1,303 flights over the past five years, with half of them, 674 flights, dedicated to transporting emergency patients from island areas and rescuing mountain casualties, while the rest were for wildfire suppression, aerial patrols, and training.

Currently, two fire helicopters are in operation, and a project to introduce medium-sized helicopters capable of responding to rapidly changing weather conditions in island areas is underway.

Since fire helicopters are small-sized and face many weather restrictions such as sea fog and strong winds at sea, the Italian Leonardo AW139 medium-sized helicopter model will be operated starting this October to actively respond to these challenges.

Shin Hwacheol, head of the Fire Aviation Unit, said, “With the introduction of the medium-sized helicopter this year, we expect to respond more quickly and safely to emergency patient transport in island areas,” adding, “We will always be ready to immediately dispatch and do our best for the lives and safety of the residents.”

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