K-Firefighter Rescues Woman at the Scene of a Solo Fall Accident During Training Program in the Czech Republic
The National Fire Agency (Commissioner Heo Seok-gon) announced on the 3rd that 22 firefighters, selected as Korea’s “Model Rescue Workers” for 2025, displayed the true spirit of firefighting by safeguarding the safety of local residents during their overseas training program in the Czech Republic.
The group participated in a training program held across the Czech Republic and Slovakia from August 25 to September 2. On the fourth day of training, August 28, at 6:40 p.m. local time, they witnessed an unexpected accident in downtown Brno, Czech Republic.
A middle-aged woman riding a single-wheel electric scooter struck a structure and fell heavily to the ground, suffering a fractured right elbow and injuries to both palms. Shocked by the fall, she lay motionless on the road, creating a tense atmosphere at the scene.
Without hesitation, the Korean firefighters rushed in. They immediately controlled traffic to prevent secondary accidents and used the medical supplies and dressing kits they carried to administer first aid. They stopped the bleeding, disinfected the wounds, and provided rapid, precise emergency care that rivaled professional paramedics. Onlookers praised the response as “astonishingly orderly and skilled.”
Although an ambulance was recommended, the injured woman declined, saying the treatment was “perfect,” and instead asked her daughter to take her home. The firefighters safely handed the patient over to her guardian before returning to their accommodations.
Days later, the rescued woman sent an email expressing gratitude after completing hospital treatment. Notably, she wrote a message in Korean translation herself, saying, “I have received a blessing I will never forget in my lifetime. It feels like an unforgettable gift.” Her heartfelt words deeply moved the firefighters.
This case is seen as more than a coincidence, serving as a vivid example of how the professionalism and dedication of Korean firefighters naturally shine through even overseas. Already recognized at home as exemplary rescue workers, they once again embodied the value of firefighting — “for the people, for the neighbors” — on the international stage.
Kim Jae-woon, head of the National Fire Agency’s Rescue Division, stated, “Even in the unfamiliar environment of an overseas program, our firefighters acted instinctively, rushing to the side of the injured faster than anyone else and fulfilling their core mission of saving lives. This case proves once again that the professionalism and dedication of Korean firefighting — and its duty to protect lives — know no boundaries.”
Meanwhile, the overseas training program for model rescue workers is designed to allow selected firefighters to directly experience foreign rescue systems and improve their applicability to domestic field operations. During this Czech–Slovak training, the firefighters visited local fire agencies and rescue centers to analyze disaster response systems. The sudden emergency provided an opportunity to put their knowledge and skills into practice, leaving meaningful results.
