Jeju Fire Department Issues 'Heat-Related Illness Safety Accident Warning'

Heat-related illness cases increasing annually... Special caution urged

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil] The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Park Geun-oh) announced on the 15th that it has issued a heat-related illness safety accident advisory for the summer season.

This measure is in response to the expected continuous occurrence of heat-related illness patients due to the summer heatwave.

Over the past five years, a total of 353 heat-related illness cases have occurred in the province, with steady annual occurrences.

In particular, last year, the number of heat-related illness patients per 100,000 people was 9.6, the highest nationwide.

By location, most cases occurred outdoors: workplaces (36%), rice fields and farms (19%), roadsides (7.4%), accounting for 83.3%. By illness type, heat exhaustion (54.7%) was the most common, followed by heat cramps (26.3%) and heatstroke (9.9%).

By time of day, more than half (57%) of cases occurred between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with the highest incidence between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (21.2%).

Heat-related illness accidents occurred more than three times as often in males (78.5%) compared to females (21.5%).

The Fire Safety Headquarters plans to establish a rapid dispatch system and build a cooperative system with related organizations to prepare for heat-related illness safety accidents during the summer, and to raise awareness of safety accidents through focused publicity such as spreading safety rules.

Since the 20th of last month, the heatwave response system has been fully activated, equipping 32 119 ambulance teams in the province with nine types of heatwave equipment including ice vests, packs, and saline solution. Additionally, 28 pump runs have been designated as reserve dispatch teams to minimize dispatch gaps by enabling rapid response when ambulance vehicles are unavailable.

The 119 Comprehensive Situation Room, Ambulance Situation Management Center, emergency medical consultation, and pre-arrival emergency treatment guidance and instructions for ambulance vehicles are also fully committed to medical consultation for residents and prevention management of heat-related illnesses for field personnel.

A Jeju Fire Headquarters official said, “During heatwave warnings, outdoor activities should be minimized, and if outdoor activities are unavoidable, sufficient hydration and rest are necessary. If symptoms such as headache, cramps, or decreased consciousness appear after outdoor activities, it is important to move to a cool place and promptly call 119 to receive emergency treatment,” emphasizing special caution.

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil panax33@asiae.co.kr

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