Daegu Fire Dept. Launches ‘Jusangjeonha’ Campaign for Effective 119 Calls

The Daegu Fire Safety Headquarters has announced the launch of a new public awareness campaign aimed at improving the efficiency of 119 emergency calls. Recognizing that callers often panic during urgent situations, leading to delays in providing crucial information or prematurely ending calls, the campaign introduces a memorable four-character mnemonic: “Jusangjeonha” (주상전하).

This initiative, announced on April 2, 2026, seeks to guide individuals through the essential steps required for a swift and effective emergency response. For international readers, 119 is South Korea’s unified emergency number, equivalent to 911 in the U.S. or 999 in the UK, used for fire, rescue, and medical emergencies.

The “Jusangjeonha” keyword breaks down the four critical actions callers should take when contacting emergency services:

• Ju (주 – Jusoh): Inform Exact Location
  Provide precise location details such as a street address, visible signboard text, utility pole numbers, elevator numbers, or names of large nearby buildings. Accurate location is the first step in dispatching emergency services quickly.
• Sang (상 – Sanghwang): Explain the Situation Clearly
  Describe the nature of the emergency in detail. This includes confirming if it’s a fire, a traffic accident, or a medical emergency, and if the person in distress is conscious or unconscious.
• Jeon (전 – Jeonhwa): Do Not Hang Up the Phone
  Remain on the line with the emergency dispatcher. They may require additional information or provide critical instructions while help is en route.
• Ha (하 – Haengdong): Follow Instructions Diligently
  Act according to the dispatcher’s guidance. This could involve instructions for evacuation, initial fire suppression techniques, or emergency first aid until rescue personnel arrive.

Park Jeong-won, head of the Daegu Fire Safety Headquarters’ 119 Comprehensive Situational Room, emphasized the importance of these guidelines. “An accurate location description starts a 119 call, and following the dispatcher’s instructions completes it,” Park stated. “By remembering just the four letters of ‘Jusangjeonha,’ we can significantly protect the ‘golden time’ crucial for saving precious lives.”

Source: 대구광역시 — Original Notice (Korean)