Paid 119 Dispatch May Be Needed... Even "Please Bring Out the Parrot" Calls Reported

119 Ambulance Team Shares Story Through Blind
Netizens Say "Related Laws Need Revision" in Outrage

A story has been revealed about a citizen who called the 119 emergency service claiming their pet parrot was trapped in a built-in closet. Netizens who saw this are expressing outrage, saying the laws regarding 119 dispatches need to be revised.

On the 12th, a post titled "Do they have to respond to something like this?" was uploaded on the anonymous workplace community 'Blind.' A person identified as A, who said they work at a regional government office, opened by saying, "We have responded many times to reports about wild boars, water deer, and wild animals, but this time we got a call asking to rescue a bird trapped behind a built-in closet."

They continued, "The caller said, 'We can't tear apart the built-in closet, so is there any way to rescue the parrot without damaging it?' I advised them to contact a professional company to disassemble the closet, rescue the bird, and then reassemble it." They added, "Then they said, 'The company needs to schedule a visit, so please rescue the bird with minimal damage to the closet.'"

According to A, the dispatched personnel worked for about an hour to rescue the parrot. The writer also attached photos of the parrot. The photos show the rescued parrot and the process of disassembling the drawer.

Netizens responded to the story with negative comments such as, "Are 119 rescuers a delivery service? This is ridiculous," "The laws regarding dispatches need to be revised," and "It’s urgent to claim compensation."

Although there was a decision to refrain from dispatches for animal capture and simple door openings... effectiveness is questionable

Previously, the Fire Agency announced in 2018 the 'Standards for Refusing Life Safety Dispatches,' stating they would reduce dispatches for non-urgent animal capture and simple door opening tasks, but concerns about effectiveness have been raised.

According to Article 16-3 of the Fire Services Act, the Fire Chief, Fire Headquarters Chief, or Fire Station Chief must dispatch fire units to respond to reports and conduct life safety and hazard removal activities.

Life safety activities include ▲removal of icicles, trees, or hazardous structures that may collapse or fall ▲capture and removal of harmful animals or bees ▲hazard removal and rescue activities due to entrapment or isolation ▲provision of emergency power or lighting supply during power outages.