Changwon Fire Department Urges Public to Refrain from Non-Emergency 119 Calls to Protect Lives of Critical Patients

Emphasizing the Importance of Securing the Golden Time for 119 Emergency Patients

The Changwon Fire Department in Gyeongnam has once again urged the public to refrain from calling 119 ambulances for non-emergency patients, in order to ensure the rapid on-site response of 119 emergency teams and to protect the lives of those in critical condition.

Paramedic training scene.

According to the fire department on August 5, there has been a recent increase in 119 calls for non-emergency cases within the jurisdiction, such as simple toothaches, common colds, or the transport of chronic patients for routine reasons or to their homes. The department explained that this can increase the risk that patients in genuine life-threatening situations may not receive emergency services promptly.

According to Article 20 of the current Enforcement Decree of the Act on 119 Rescue and Emergency Medical Services, fire authorities are permitted to refuse ambulance dispatches for non-emergency patients.

Non-emergency patients include those with simple toothaches, common colds, minor injuries (such as abrasions, contusions, or lacerations), simple intoxication (except in cases of unconsciousness), and chronic patients seeking regular check-ups or hospital admission.

However, it is often difficult to accurately assess a patient's condition based solely on the report, making it unavoidable for emergency teams to be dispatched to check the situation on-site. Such repeated dispatches can hinder the response to actual emergencies.

Changwon Fire Chief Lee Sanggi emphasized, "In life-threatening moments, the golden time is just a matter of minutes," and added, "We ask that you refrain from making 119 calls for non-emergency cases, so that we can secure the golden time for emergency patients."