Suncheon City (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced on the 6th that it won the National Medical Center Director Award and the Minister of Health and Welfare Award in the Table Top Exercise (TTX) and Active Participation categories at the 2024 Disaster Emergency Medical Comprehensive Training Competition.
This competition was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the Central Emergency Medical Center of the National Medical Center to strengthen emergency medical response capabilities in disaster situations and was held at the JEI Talent Education Training Center in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do for two days from the 5th to the 6th.
Suncheon City participated with 10 team members made up of the Suncheon City Public Health Center (Rapid Response Team), St. Charles Hospital (DMAT), Suncheon City Fire Department, and Yeosu City Fire Department, and achieved excellent results in road training based on excellent cooperation and expertise.
This training competition is a comprehensive training to strengthen cooperation and connection between related organizations and increase work proficiency at disaster sites. The main evaluations include road training (TTX) and skills training (emergency clinic tent installation, PS-LTE). It was carried out as an item.
In particular, Suncheon City, which achieved excellent results in road training, strengthened its cooperation system with the regional emergency medical center, Saint Charles Hospital and the fire department, and demonstrated essential response capabilities in disaster situations such as triage, first aid, casualty transport and situation reporting. did it
In addition, they were highly evaluated for perfectly performing the simulation and actively participating in the competition, and were awarded a special award.
This competition has been held every year except for the past two years when it was suspended due to COVID-19, and this year, a total of 270 people attended to check disaster medical response capabilities and share know-how.
A city official said, “We are pleased that Suncheon City’s disaster emergency medical response capabilities have been recognized through this competition,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to protect the safety and lives of citizens by cooperating with related organizations.”
Using this competition as an opportunity, Suncheon City plans to further strengthen its capabilities in the field of disaster emergency medical services and further strengthen linkages and cooperation between related organizations. We plan to continue to improve our ability to respond more quickly and systematically in disaster situations.
＊ DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team)
＊ PS-LTE (Public Satety-LTE) technology for communications necessary when performing disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery
Economy Queen Reporter Kim Hong-mi / Photo Suncheon City
Interview between Time.News Editor and Disaster Response Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.News, where we explore the latest developments in emergency response and public health. Today, we have Dr. Lee Sang-hoon, a renowned expert in disaster management and medical emergency response, joining us to discuss the recent accolades won by Suncheon City at the 2024 Disaster Emergency Medical Comprehensive Training Competition. Thank you for being here, Dr. Lee.
Dr. Lee: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss such an important topic.
Editor: Suncheon City has won impressive awards, including the National Medical Center Director Award and the Minister of Health and Welfare Award. Can you tell us what these awards signify in the context of disaster response?
Dr. Lee: Absolutely! These awards are recognition of excellence in disaster response preparedness. Winning in categories like Table Top Exercise (TTX) and Active Participation reflects a city’s commitment to enhancing its emergency medical response capabilities. It shows that Suncheon City has developed an effective disaster management framework that integrates various organizations for better preparedness.
Editor: I understand that the competition was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the Central Emergency Medical Center. Can you elaborate on the importance of such training competitions for cities like Suncheon?
Dr. Lee: Of course! These competitions serve several purposes. Firstly, they test and refine the cooperation between various emergency services such as public health departments, hospitals, and fire services. This collaboration is crucial during actual disaster events. Secondly, they help in identifying strengths and weaknesses in current response strategies, allowing for timely adjustments and improvements—essential for saving lives in real emergencies.
Editor: Suncheon City’s team included members from the Public Health Center, St. Charles Hospital, and both Suncheon and Yeosu City Fire Departments. How critical is this multi-agency teamwork during disaster response?
Dr. Lee: It’s vital! Effective disaster response cannot rest on one organization’s shoulders. Each agency brings unique skills and resources to the table. For instance, rapid response teams are crucial for immediate medical care, while fire departments provide critical logistical support. Training together fosters trust and communication, which are key during high-stress situations.
Editor: The evaluation included activities like emergency clinic tent installation. Why are such practical skills so crucial?
Dr. Lee: Practical skills like emergency clinic tent installation are essential because they allow responders to set up operational facilities quickly during a disaster. Disaster situations can be chaotic, and having a practiced team that can swiftly establish medical care infrastructure can dramatically affect the outcome of a response, enhancing the ability to provide immediate care to victims.
Editor: You mentioned that Suncheon City excelled particularly in road training. Why is that focus essential for disaster readiness?
Dr. Lee: Road training is fundamental as it closely pertains to logistics and access during emergencies. In many disasters, the first obstacle responders face is debris and blocked routes. By practicing these scenarios, teams learn to efficiently navigate these challenges, ensuring that emergency services can reach affected areas swiftly and deliver the necessary aid.
Editor: What implications does Suncheon City’s success have for other cities looking to improve their disaster management systems?
Dr. Lee: Suncheon City serves as a model for other cities. Their achievements underscore the importance of proactive training, effective collaboration, and continual improvement in emergency response. Other municipalities can learn from their methods and perhaps adapt similar programs to elevate their own disaster readiness. Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate a culture of preparedness across all regions.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lee, for your insights on this crucial topic. Congratulations to Suncheon City for their accomplishments, and here’s hoping that more communities focus on enhancing their disaster preparedness through collaboration and training.
Dr. Lee: Thank you! I hope so too. It’s vital for us to be prepared for any eventualities that arise.