Two incidents have recently caught attention, illustrating how ordinary days can turn into rescue scenarios.
According to the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, on March 16, Oh Seung-jin, a firefighter from Seongbuk Fire Station, witnessed an opposing team player collapsing during a club match held at a soccer field in Dobong-gu. Oh checked the player’s condition and immediately performed CPR, reviving the player’s breathing. A 119 emergency call and a request for an automated external defibrillator were also made simultaneously. The injured player was transported to the hospital and is currently recovering.
On March 19, around 7 PM, a fire broke out in a parked vehicle in a piloti garage located on the first floor of a shopping center in Nowon-gu. As the flames spread despite an attempt by building personnel to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher, a father and son, passing by after finishing dinner at a nearby restaurant, activated the building’s indoor fire hydrant to successfully control the early stages of the fire. CCTV footage captures the duo unrolling the hose and turning on the water. The fire authorities stated that without their intervention, the fire could have extended to the upper floors, leading to more significant damage.
Kwon Hyuk-min, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, expressed gratitude, saying, “As a citizen, I am very thankful to hear news that sets a significant example for society,” emphasizing the importance of citizen education about emergency first aid and fire response techniques.