1,250 Cases Nationwide in the Past 5 Years... 82% of 33 Cases in Chungnam Involved Intoxication
"A Serious Crime That Threatens the Emergency Medical System"
The Chungnam Fire Headquarters has defined verbal and physical abuse against paramedics as a serious crime that threatens the emergency medical system and announced a zero-tolerance policy. It is a warning that repeated assaults by intoxicated individuals will no longer be tolerated.
On the 24th, the Chungnam Fire Headquarters stated its strict response policy, saying, "We will not regard verbal and physical abuse against paramedics as merely accidental acts."
According to the Fire Headquarters, there were 1,250 assault cases against paramedics nationwide over the past five years, 84% of which occurred under the influence of alcohol. Around 200 such cases occur every year, and this continuing trend is being pointed out as a persistent social problem.
During the same period, there were 33 assault cases in Chungnam, 82% of which occurred while the perpetrators were intoxicated. This is similar to the nationwide pattern.
Assaults on paramedics delay on-site emergency treatment and disrupt patient transport.
Victim paramedics are exposed not only to physical injuries but also to psychological trauma and anxiety about their work. This ultimately leads to a decline in the quality of emergency medical services and directly affects the protection of residents' lives.
Article 50 of the current Fire Services Act stipulates that those who commit assault or threats with the intent to interfere with rescue or emergency medical activities shall be punished by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.
Going forward, the Chungnam Fire Headquarters plans to respond under a zero-tolerance principle when assaults occur and to continuously promote measures such as: active use of special judicial police within the fire service, distribution of protective equipment for paramedics, strengthening cooperation systems with the police, and campaigns to spread a culture of proper use of the 119 emergency service.
Lee Youngju, head of the 119 Response Division, said, "Assaults on paramedics are a serious crime that threatens the lives of emergency patients," adding, "Mature civic awareness is the starting point for a safe emergency medical environment."
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