Support for Testing Sites Struggling with Heatwave: 'Police Bus' Used as Rest Area for Medical Staff

First Deployment to Two Anyang Inspection Stations
Hydrogen Electric Vehicles with 'Silent' Air Conditioning
Support for Inspection Stations Lacking Rest Facilities in Consultation with Disease Control Agency

On the morning of the 25th, a police bus was stationed at the temporary screening clinic near Anyang Station in Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, to provide rest for medical staff. This bus is an eco-friendly hydrogen electric vehicle that can operate the air conditioner for up to 36 hours in a stationary state.
[Photo by National Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police have decided to support police buses so that medical staff at temporary screening clinics, who are battling COVID-19 amid the heatwave, can take breaks.

On the 25th, the National Police Agency announced that, in consultation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, police buses were deployed to the temporary screening clinics at Anyang Station and Samdeok Park in Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, as the first support targets.

Due to on-site conditions, these screening clinics find it difficult to install separate temporary rest facilities such as containers, so medical staff and workers are known to be working hard relying only on fans and air coolers.

The vehicles deployed this time are "hydrogen electric vehicles." To avoid citizen inconvenience caused by exhaust fumes, the police prioritized deploying hydrogen electric vehicles for "engine-off cooling."

The hydrogen electric vehicle is a 17-seat limousine-type bus including the driver's seat. It can travel up to 429 km in urban areas on a single charge and can operate electrical devices such as air conditioning for 36 hours in an engine-off state. Shin Jeong-won, head of the Anyang Station temporary screening clinic, said, "It is so hot that sweat soaks my underwear, but I am very grateful for the good vehicle sent to us," adding, "The bus is large and the seats are spacious."

The National Police Agency owns five hydrogen electric vehicles and plans to support buses, including the remaining hydrogen electric vehicles, within the scope that does not interfere with the police's core duties if additional support requests are made by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency or local governments.

Meanwhile, the police are supporting COVID-19 response daily with about 2,460 officers, including 200 epidemiological investigation administrative support personnel, to maintain safety at temporary living facilities and temporary treatment facilities, support transportation of overseas arrivals, and vaccine transportation. In addition, the Police Hospital (isolation ward) and the Police Human Resources Development Institute (living treatment center) are provided as treatment facilities for confirmed cases.

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