KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- It’s a late Saturday night, you and your friends are walking home from a night out and you notice someone walking alone in the distance stumbling over their feet. In your own world, you briefly draw your attention off of the individual. When you look at the individual again, you see them on the ground. What do you do?
Emergencies come in a variety of situations; from minor to major, and if a minor issue isn’t addressed it can snowball into something more serious.
If you find someone in need of help, on or off base, having basic emergency response information is critical.
For on base emergencies you should immediately call 911 upon encountering an incapacitated individual. If they are in need of help beyond the base clinic the individual would be taken to the nearest hospital off base.
“The easiest or fastest way to get help off base is ask anyone to call 112 or 119,” said Chung-Man Shim, Gunsan National Police assistant inspector of foreign affairs. “If you can't find anyone who can speak English, please call the 8th Security Forces Squadron and ask for a translator.”
Another emergency that could possibly occur are vehicle accidents.
“If an accident occurs on base, the Kunsan Fire Emergency Services flight would be notified and would respond just the same as in the United States,” said Master Sgt. Benny A. Baladez, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron deputy fire chief.
If there is a vehicle accident off base involving military personnel, someone with a cell phone would dial the off base emergency number. If it is a Korean citizen, they would answer the questions the emergency dispatcher would ask as normal. If the downtown dispatcher realizes that it is not a Korean speaking person, they would contact a representative to translate the pertinent information. While they are gathering information the emergency dispatch center downtown would ping the cell phone for a location of the accident to get response forces to the scene.
Here are a few words that can be used as duress in the event that an emergency happens. It is advised to take a screen shot of these words or memorize them in case of an emergency.
1. Fire - 화재 (Hwa Jae)
2. Active shooter - 총기 난사범 (Chong Gi Nan Sa Bum)
3. Unconscious - 기절하다 (Gi Jol Ha Da)
4. Help - 도와 주세요 (Do Wa Juseyo)
5. Serious injury - 심각한 부상 (Sim Gak Han Bu Sang)
6. Hospital - 병원 (Byoung Won)
7. Crash - 충돌 (Chung Dol)
If you see any of these situations occur, please contact the correct number for either on base or off base emergencies. Remain calm and answer the questions as specifically as possible. Stay out of dangerous areas and remain in a safe location. Let the dispatcher know where you are so responders can make contact with the caller. First responders may need additional information from the original caller.