CURRENT STATUS OF DISASTER MEDICAL SERVICE SYSTEM IN KOREA

Abstract

Natural or man-made disasters are serious enough to paralyse the functions of the nation or regional distinct and affect the property and lives of numerous citizens. The first two hours after occurrence of the disaster are critical for determining death or permanent disabilities of the casualties. The current Disaster Medical Service(DMS) System in our country adopts main­ly civil defense model which focuses the cause of the accident, compensation of the victims, or reconstruction. So in the initial phase of disaster, the appropriate rescue and emergency treat­ment is not provided effectively. In order to assess and reorganize the current status of DMS System in Korea, the Depart­ ment of Emergency Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, planned and conducted an emergency response exercise in Suwon city on April 28, 1995. The exercise, which took place near the Kyunggido Culture and Art Center, coordinated the efforts of the Suwon Fire Depart­ment and other related agencies. As well as providing training on emergency response, the ex­ercise was valuable for identifying areas of weakness which will be address in the future.