New firefighting helicopter KUHC-1 of Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters. [Image source=Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The new fire helicopter inauguration ceremony of the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters was held on the 2nd at the 119 Special Rescue Team Aviation Rescue Ambulance Unit in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam.
The inauguration ceremony, held to promote the operation of the new fire helicopter and to pray for the safe flight of the new helicopter, was attended by about 100 people including Park Haeyoung, Chairman of the Construction and Fire Committee, Kim Yunchul, Mayor of Hapcheon-gun, and volunteer firefighters.
The newly introduced helicopter is the KUHC-1 model manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), capable of carrying up to 14 passengers.
Its maximum speed is 283 km/h, with a cruising range of 571 km, and it can fly continuously for up to 2 hours and 50 minutes, enabling it to perform emergency rescue missions throughout Gyeongnam.
It is also equipped with high-performance search radar, optical detection equipment, rescue hoist, rear water tank, and emergency medical services (EMS) equipment.
The headquarters received the helicopter on June 10, underwent flight training and on-site adaptation training at rescue scenes until September 1, and announced that it plans to fully deploy the helicopter for missions starting the day after this inauguration ceremony.
Director Kim Jonggeun stated, “With the introduction of the new fire helicopter, the aviation safety infrastructure for residents has been further expanded,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to eliminate blind spots in firefighting activities and improve rescue response capabilities.”
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