"Always Ready to Help"... Off-Duty Firefighter Saves Woman Who Collapsed on Bus

A Woman in Her 30s Collapses on the Bus During Commute
Off-Duty Firefighter Provides Prompt Emergency Care

A woman who lost consciousness and collapsed inside a crowded commuter bus overcame the crisis thanks to the prompt emergency treatment by a firefighter nearby. Regarding this incident, the firefighter said, "I am always ready to rush and help," becoming a role model.

A woman in her 30s collapses on a city bus during the morning commute while citizens look on.
[Photo by Gimpo Fire Station]

On the 17th, Yonhap News reported that around 7:30 a.m. the previous day (16th), Ms. A (female in her 30s) lost consciousness and collapsed inside a city bus traveling on a road in Geomdan New Town, Seo-gu, Incheon. Fortunately, Fire Lieutenant Kim Jang-hyun (41) of the Gimpo Fire Station’s Water Rescue Team was also on the bus. He witnessed the situation and immediately administered emergency treatment.

Lieutenant Kim was off duty that day but was heading to the National Medical Center to receive a preventive vaccination in preparation for deployment to an overseas emergency relief team. He seated the unconscious Ms. A, lifted her head to open her airway, and helped her breathe smoothly. He also asked the bus driver to call an ambulance at the next stop and requested a 119 emergency call. When the bus arrived at the stop, he got off with Ms. A, explained the situation to the arriving paramedics, and ensured she was quickly transported to the hospital.

Ms. A was reported to have undergone detailed examinations after hospital tests revealed abnormal symptoms in her brain. Lieutenant Kim said, "Firefighters are always ready to help whenever there is trouble, not only when we are on duty wearing our uniforms but also on our days off. I was fortunate to be nearby to provide emergency care and prevent greater harm."

This is not the first time an off-duty firefighter has helped a citizen. In 2022, three off-duty firefighters in the Incheon area happened to witness a house fire and extinguished it, preventing casualties. In March of this year, a firefighter father and son extinguished flames at a fire scene they witnessed on their day off, drawing public attention. It was reported that the father and son had almost completely extinguished the fire by the time the arriving fire crew only needed to handle the remaining smoldering embers. Fire Lieutenant Lee Yoon-cheol, the father, said, "My body moved instinctively as soon as I saw the black smoke. It was something I naturally had to do, and I felt even more reassured being with my son." Firefighter Lee Hyung-jun, the son, said, "Thanks to my father’s quick judgment, we were able to safely extinguish the fire."