The National Fire Agency said on the 23rd that it held a nationwide meeting of fire commanders and discussed on-site response plans, including the issue of delays in admitting emergency patients. The meeting held on the previous day was attended online and offline by the heads of fire headquarters in 18 cities and provinces nationwide and the chiefs of 242 fire stations.
The Incheon and Gyeonggi Fire Headquarters presented a case of establishing a responsible emergency medical system aimed at "pre-hospital stage resolution." They emphasized that the key to easing delays in admitting emergency patients is for fire commanders to visit medical institutions in their jurisdictions in person to secure cooperation.
The Incheon and Gyeonggi Fire Headquarters said they would improve hospitals that reached agreements by supplementing the 119 smart system and related procedures so patient admissions proceed smoothly, and would greatly strengthen the functions of the ambulance situation management center.
The Gangwon and South Jeolla Fire Headquarters proposed operating a policy council of fire station chiefs nationwide and promoting joint central-local policy research to enhance the field applicability of central policies. The North Jeolla and Ulsan Fire Headquarters shared best practices in a horizontal organizational culture, such as institutionalizing "listening time," during which commanders hear first.
Acting Commissioner Kim Seung-ryong of the National Fire Agency said, "The issue of delays in admitting emergency patients is an urgent task that can no longer be put off," and urged, "Front-line fire commanders should carefully examine the field themselves and check ambulance crew boarding rates and systems."