About

‘Firefighting Helicopter Series’ Helicopter Specifications Model & Affiliation: A multi-purpose firefighting helicopter (AS365 series) belonging to the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters of the Republic of Korea National Fire Agency. Key Exterior Features: A striking red fuselage with white line accents, featuring 'CENTRAL 119' and 'RESCUE' markings on the sides. Structural Design: Utilizes a Fenestron (shrouded tail rotor) design to reduce noise and enhance safety. Mission Profile: Specialized in life-saving rescue, emergency patient transport, and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. Note: Firefighting helicopters activate sirens during takeoff and landing (warning broadcasts or sirens sound to alert people to the rotor wash. This applies to most firefighting helicopters). Rescue Procedures Typically, the helicopter lands to take patients on board. However, if the terrain does not permit landing, a rope rescue is performed. In cases involving critical patients during rope rescues, a 'basket stretcher'—the safest equipment for rope operations—is attached to the line. Rescued patients are usually transferred to a ground ambulance after landing, but in extremely urgent cases, the helicopter flies directly to a hospital equipped with a helipad. Dispatch Criteria Helicopters are deployed for critically ill patients or time-sensitive situations (transporting hearts for transplant, neonatal transport, etc.). They are also dispatched to locations inaccessible to ground personnel, such as mountains or coastal areas.