"Report Emergencies to 119 Even During Chuseok Holidays"

Increase Emergency Consultation Specialists by 80% During Holidays to Provide First Aid and Hospital Guidance

119 Emergency Situation Management Center 모습

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] During the Chuseok holiday, if an emergency occurs or you need hospital or pharmacy information, you should call 119 without delay.

The National Fire Agency announced on the 1st that doctors, nurses, or Level 1 emergency medical technicians work in shifts 24 hours a day at the 119 Emergency Medical Situation Management Centers of fire departments nationwide, providing hospital and pharmacy guidance, disease consultation, medication guidance, and emergency treatment instructions.

During last year's Chuseok holiday, the total number of cases where people received hospital information or emergency treatment instructions through 119 was 42,354. This averages 8,470 cases per day, which is 2.6 times higher than the 3,279 cases on non-holiday days.

Accordingly, the National Fire Agency and fire departments nationwide will increase the number of 119 emergency consultation specialists by about 240 compared to usual, with about 480 personnel entering an emergency duty system.

The emergency medical consultation service for overseas travelers and crew members of deep-sea vessels will also continue. If you suffer from illness or injury abroad, you can request consultation via phone (+82-44-320-0119), email (central119ems@korea.kr), internet (http://119.go.kr), or KakaoTalk, and receive medical consultation from emergency medicine specialists working 24 hours at the National Fire Agency's Central 119 Emergency Medical Situation Management Center.

Jin Yong-man, Head of the 119 Emergency Medical Division at the National Fire Agency, said, "During holidays, the number of patients complaining of abdominal pain or indigestion increases, so it is good to prepare over-the-counter medicines such as digestive aids in advance, and to learn basic emergency treatment methods such as the 'Heimlich maneuver' to prepare for airway obstruction caused by food."