Gyeonggi Fire Department Prepares Heatwave Measures Including Operation of 119 Heatwave Ambulance Team

119 Heatwave Emergency Squad

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters has prepared emergency measures against heatwaves, including the operation of 119 Heatwave Ambulance Teams, until the end of September.

First, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters will operate 276 heatwave ambulance teams equipped with nine types of heatwave response supplies, such as ice vests, saline solution, and refined salt, in the ambulances. Additionally, 260 reserve units called "Pumbulance" (a combination of pump truck and ambulance) will be secured to enable immediate emergency dispatch.

Furthermore, emergency medical guidance doctors will provide ongoing training to 119 comprehensive situation room personnel on medical consultations and transport guidance for heat-related illness patients.

The number of heatwave-related dispatches and transported patients in the province has been increasing annually. Dispatch cases rose from 84 in 2020 to 167 in 2021, and 233 in 2022. The number of transported patients also steadily increased from 82 in 2020 to 148 in 2021, and 193 in 2022.

Analyzing the 233 heatwave dispatches last year, heat exhaustion accounted for 124 cases, making up 53.2%, more than half. This was followed by heat cramps with 52 cases (22.3%), heatstroke with 32 cases (13.75%), and heat syncope with 24 cases (10.3%).

By age group, those in their 50s had the highest number with 52 cases, followed by those in their 60s (44 cases) and 70s (35 cases). By time, the period from 3 PM to 6 PM had the most cases at 77 (33%), followed by 12 PM to 3 PM with 67 cases (28.8%), and 6 PM to 9 PM with 33 cases (14.2%).

Jo Sun-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "We have completed training for ambulance and Pumbulance personnel on the clinical characteristics of heat-related illnesses and emergency treatment procedures and methods. We will do our best to protect the safety of residents from heatwaves."

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