"Protecting Hearts Amid Flames"... Dong-A University Students Produce Documentaries Highlighting Firefighters' Mental Health

“What Is Scarier Than Fire Is Reliving That Day Over and Over Again”

Students from the Department of Media and Communication at Dong-A University have collaborated with the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters to produce three documentaries for the "Firefighter Mental Health Safety Campaign."

This project aims to shed light on the realities faced by firefighters suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to foster greater social empathy for their struggles.

Students of the Media and Communication Department at Dong-A University.

The initiative was led by fourth-year students who participated in the Video Content Production Seminar (supervised by Professor Kwon Youngseong) over a four-month period starting in March. Organized into three teams?Sadam Production, Mbus Production, and B Production?they completed documentaries titled "I Am a Firefighter," "Ember," and "Residual Heat," respectively.

The documentaries focus on the "invisible wounds" that are not apparent at the scene, using real citizen surveys, interviews, and vivid testimonies from firefighters. They highlight individuals who, even after carrying out rescue operations through flames, suffer from nightmares for years. The documentaries present these realities without embellishment and pose a question to viewers: "Who can rescue their hearts?"

These works are scheduled to be distributed through the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters' intranet and social media channels and will also be used in practical initiatives to protect firefighters' mental health.

Firefighter Mental Health Safety Campaign Documentary Video Screen.

Lim Yujin and Cho Gaeul, who served as executive producers, stated, "This was more than just content production; it was a time to share in the pain of firefighters," adding, "We hope these videos will become a small spark that leads to greater empathy and understanding."

Professor Kwon Youngseong, who oversaw the project, commented, "I felt a great sense of pride seeing students use their talents for the public good," and added, "We will continue to spread meaningful social messages through collaborations with public institutions."

This collaboration is part of an ongoing series of community partnership projects between Dong-A University and public institutions. Previously, the Department of Media and Communication worked with the Busan Gangseo Police Station to produce documentaries on "digital crime" and "domestic violence prevention."

Lee Nayoon, head of the Busan Firefighter Mind Care Center, said, "The warm perspective and sincere documentation in these videos have greatly contributed to broadening awareness of firefighters' mental health," and added, "I hope the genuine intentions behind the lens will inspire small actions among citizens."

The students who participated in this project are scheduled to receive certificates of commendation from the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters.

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