Chuseok Holiday Emergency Consultations via '119'... Nurses and Paramedics On Duty

Connect to a Doctor When Professional Consultation Is Needed

In situations where most hospitals and clinics are closed during the Chuseok holiday, people may become flustered if an emergency occurs. The National Fire Agency has urged people to call 119 if they need consultation regarding emergencies or emergency illnesses during the holiday period.

According to the National Fire Agency on the 16th, the 119 Emergency Medical Situation Management Center of the National Fire Headquarters nationwide has professional counseling staff such as nurses and level 1 emergency medical technicians on duty 24 hours a day. They provide guidance on hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, consultations related to emergency illnesses, and emergency treatment instructions. If professional consultation related to emergency illnesses is needed, they can also connect callers to doctors for additional consultation.

During the six days of the Chuseok holiday last year, from September 28 to October 3, a total of 57,509 consultations were made through 119, averaging 9,584 consultations per day. This is more than twice the usual daily average of 4,510 consultations.

The National Fire Agency is reinforcing about 180 counseling personnel (nurses, level 1 emergency medical technicians) and increasing the operation of about 30 additional communication units per day to thoroughly prepare for emergencies during this holiday.

Overseas travelers or overseas Korean nationals such as crew members on deep-sea vessels can also request consultations via phone, email, the internet homepage, or the KakaoTalk 'National Fire Agency Emergency Medical Consultation Service' channel, and receive consultations from professional medical staff through the National Fire Agency 119 Emergency Medical Situation Management Center.

Yoo Byung-wook, head of the 119 Emergency Medical Department, said, "To prepare for safety accidents that can frequently occur at home during the holiday period, it is advisable to learn emergency treatment methods for burns and airway obstruction in advance, and to stock up on essential medicines such as antipyretics and wound disinfectants."