"Naturally to the Scene" ... Rookie Firefighters' Active Commute

Firefighter Choi Woo-young of Yangsan Fire Station Central 119 Safety Center, Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters, is performing initial extinguishing with a vehicle fire extinguisher. [Image source=Black box footage provided by Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] “The moment I first saw the scene, my body naturally headed toward it.”

A rookie firefighter said this after encountering a car collision accident on a usual commute.

Choi Wooyoung, a firefighter at Yangsan Fire Station Central 119 Safety Center under the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters, who was appointed last December, was on his way to work around 8 a.m. on November 29.

While driving on a road in Bukbu-dong, Choi’s car came across a traffic accident near his workplace.

A car coming from the opposite direction swerved and suddenly crossed over the central divider, colliding with another vehicle.

Witnessing the accident, Choi stopped his car in front of the crashed vehicle.

He rushed to the accident vehicle and saw the injured person unconscious and collapsed in the driver’s seat.

Smoke was rising from the engine compartment of the vehicle, which was damaged by the impact.

Choi quickly grabbed a car fire extinguisher from his own vehicle and extinguished the flames that were beginning to flare up.

He forcibly opened the dented car door and moved the driver to a safe place.

Firefighter Choi Woo-young of Yangsan Fire Station Central 119 Safety Center, Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters, is forcibly opening the driver's door, which was crushed by the impact of the accident. [Image source=Black box footage provided by Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters]

The rescued man in his 20s had a laceration on the left side of his head but his life was not in danger, and he was transported to a hospital by the dispatched rescue team for treatment.

Choi controlled the scene to prevent secondary accidents until the fire response team arrived.

After explaining the situation to the response team, he resumed his commute.

Choi said, “Since it was part of my routine work, I responded calmly and was able to prevent the accident without major casualties,” adding, “I will continue to prioritize citizens’ safety and do my best at the scene for that purpose.”

According to the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters, under the Regulations on the Performance and Standards of Automobiles and Automobile Parts, it is mandatory to install fire extinguishers in vehicles with seven or more seats.

Starting December 2024, Article 11 of the Act on Installation and Management of Firefighting Facilities will be enforced, making it mandatory to install fire extinguishers in all vehicles, including those with five seats.

An official from the headquarters said, “Car fire extinguishers can be purchased at marts or online, and they must have passed vibration tests considering the automobile driving environment.”