Gyeonggi Fire Department Achieves Korea's First Ambulance Helicopter Reenactment... Reveals 'H-13 Suwoo'

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters unveiled a reproduction model of Korea's first ambulance helicopter.

On the 4th, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced that they revealed a reproduction of the 'H-13 Suwoo,' Korea's first medical evacuation helicopter used to transport wounded soldiers during the Korean War, at the Jangheon Hall in Suwon Headquarters.

The H-13 Suwoo was a model that proved the necessity of introducing ambulance helicopters by nearly halving the mortality rate of wounded soldier transport (World War II 4.5% → Korean War 2.5%).

Cho Sun-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, is examining the recreated model of 'H-13 Suwoo,' Korea's first ambulance helicopter, with staff members on the 4th. Provided by Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters

In particular, the introduction of helicopters is evaluated as having opened a new horizon for the domestic emergency medical environment. However, since no original models remained, its value was underestimated.

Accordingly, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters created this reproduction after meticulous verification based on various historical materials. The production of this reproduction involved Im Jong-gwan and Park Jeong-hoon, Fire Captains, Kim Gyu-yeol, Fire Lieutenant, and Han Tae-sik, Fire Sergeant, all belonging to the Headquarters' Special Response Team.

Jo Seon-ho, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "The helicopter reproduced this time is an essential artifact to explain the development history of doctor helicopters from the 1950s to the present." He added, "Going forward, Gyeonggi Fire will continue its efforts to instill pride in firefighters and emphasize the importance of accident prevention and safety for the residents."