In times of hardship, by standing together we can keep humanity alive. After collecting donations for the people of Turkey affected by the recent earthquake, on February 17, the KDI School of Public Policy and Management (KDI School) organized a field trip to the National Civil Defense and Disaster Management Training Institute (NDTI) by invitation of a KDI student, Kim Jae-heum. Mr. Kim Jae-heum is the Director General of this institute and well aware of the importance of education and training in the field of disaster safety. During this field trip, he kindly helped students get familiar with up-to-date training after the tragedy of the Turkey and Syria earthquake.

After a short introduction to the institute, we had the opportunity to ice break by experiencing a simulation of some disaster adventures in the 4D Disaster Theater of the institute. During all of the disaster experiences on the field trip, Professor Lee Jeong-il from the Emergency Preparedness Training Division accompanied us and tried his best to create a friendly and safe atmosphere while experiencing the disasters.  Prof. Lee pointed out that “the most important thing about safety education is paying attention to differences between countries. For example, countries like Turkey are experiencing earthquakes more regularly while in a country like South Korea, floods are happening more frequently. Looking at the differences between regions is an important element in building an efficient system for each country and provide practical international training.” 

Then, we had the opportunity to see the central and local alarming system of South Korea, as well as the Virtual Emergency Operations room, Virtual Rapid Torrents Experience, and CPR practice room. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique in many emergencies, such as a heart attack in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.

Feeling what humans are experiencing through different disasters was a key point of this field trip, in which by Wind Tunnel and Earthquake Experiences we felt it. In the Wind Tunnel Experience, we learned how to resist in front of the severe wind, and what equipment is required when a person wants to help others in a severely windy situation. Also, keeping in mind that the recent earthquake in Turkey had a magnitude of 7.8, at NDTI we experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 7. We learned that the first step in a time of emergency is not escaping from the building because lots of people will be injured, but instead, the first step is shouting and increasing awareness that an earthquake is happening. Then, getting under a desk or table, and hanging on to it, is the next important step.

After a break and having lunch, it was time to experience the Smoke. However, for our safety, there was no smoke in the room. This experience helped us to know how we can find a way out of a dark and smoky space with lots of doors and stairs. Also, we could see the performance of other students thanks to the CCTV in the rooms. We will never forget that in times of facing smoke in a building, we need to hold some tissue in front of our mouth to prevent smoke inhalation. 

The other two advantageous experiences were Fire Extinguisher and Vertical Escape Chute Experiences. We learned the instructions for using an extinguisher as a firefighter when we are operating in a team, and how the performance of each teammate affects the performance of a whole team. In addition, using the Vertical Escape Chute was a tricky and important experience for all of us. This is a way of escaping from a fire from the rooftop when using the stairs to escape the building is dangerous or impossible.

In the last part of the adventure, Mr. Kim Jae-heum gave a presentation to us about Korea’s Disaster Management System and Policy, and how different ministries in Korea cooperate to handle these issues. We also had the opportunity to hear about his experiences in the management of different disasters.

There is a Persian poem by Sa’adi, an Iranian poet, which is inscribed on the entrance to the United Nations building in New York.

“Human beings are members of a whole

In creation of one essence and soul

If one member is inflicted with pain

Other members uneasy will remain

If you have no sympathy for human pain

The name of human you cannot retain”

NDTI was a great example of this poem’s spirit in action because NDTI is taking steps towards reducing the costs of various disasters by providing training and education to both Koreans and non-Koreans. We KDIS students will never forget this great day, full of adventure and empathy with those who are being affected by harmful disasters. Now we know that we have a place in times of hardship which is always ready to help us.