The first emergency medical helicopter called 'Sky Emergency Room' is operated in Seoul.

Yesterday (7th) Seoul Fire Department of the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced that it had upgraded to a 'doctor helicopter' by installing new chemical and heart enzyme test equipment on its existing multi-purpose medium and large fire-fighting helicopter.

Dr. Helicopter, which was introduced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2011, is used exclusively for patients who need rapid first aid and transportation. It has 12 kinds of medical equipment and 15 kinds of emergency medicines, and it is possible to carry out medical staff and dispatch them, so emergency surgery is also possible during transportation.

This is the first time that Seoul City has operated a firefighting helicopter that meets Dr. Helicopter standards. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will replace the first helicopter, which has been in operation for more than 20 years, by replacing it with a doctor helicopter by 2023.


The Seoul Fire Service said that an average of 190 patients were rescued and transported to hospitals using fire-fighting helicopters. The rate of emergency helicopters being transported to hospitals after first aid has also increased from 17% in 2018 to 28% in 2019. The safety net is expected to expand further when Dr. Helicopter operation is activated in the future.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said, "We will keep the lives and safety of citizens more closely through the 'sky emergency room' helicopter."

This is 'News Pick'.

(Photo = Yonhap News)