As a result of operating "119Heli-EMS," in which a physician boards a fire helicopter to provide professional medical treatment from the scene, 19 out of 24 transported patients (79%) survived over the past year.
The National Fire Agency announced the "2025 119Heli-EMS operating results" on the 12th. There were a total of 26 dispatches to the scene last year: 25 in northern Gyeonggi and 1 in South Gyeongsang. Severe trauma patients accounted for 75% of 119Heli-EMS transports.
The National Fire Agency said physicians boarding helicopters and administering specialized treatment, including high-difficulty drug administration, from the scene greatly contributed to patients' improvement. In particular, the time it took for paramedics to arrive at the scene and begin specialized procedures was shorter than the previous year.
Starting this year, the National Fire Agency will fully implement a "national integrated fire helicopter dispatch system" under which the nearest helicopter will launch immediately, regardless of jurisdiction. It also plans to strengthen 119Heli-EMS and focus on transporting critical patients in medical blind spots, such as areas without doctor helicopters or during nighttime hours.
Cho Hang-ju, head of the regional trauma center at Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, said, "119Heli-EMS is an 'emergency center in the sky' where a specialist provides optimal treatment from the scene," and added, "As it is a core system that increases the survival rate of critical patients, we will continue to work closely with the National Fire Agency to do our utmost to protect lives in medical blind spots."
Kim Seung-ryong, acting commissioner of the National Fire Agency, said, "This year we will strengthen operations of fire helicopters with physicians on board and establish a nationwide integrated dispatch system to ensure there are no gaps in protecting people's lives."