Why Has Gwanak-gu Expanded the Starlit Naerincheon River Patrol Team?

Operation of a Joint Civil-Government Patrol Team of 140 Members to Prevent River Isolation Accidents... Challenging Zero Safety Accidents During the Flood and Wind Disaster Countermeasure Period (5.15.~10.15.)

River Patrol Team

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) will operate a river patrol team jointly composed of civilians and government officials for five months from May 15 to October 15, the flood and typhoon countermeasure period, to prevent safety accidents at Byeolbitnaerin Stream.

At Byeolbitnaerin Stream, isolation accidents of various sizes have occurred every rainy season. Accordingly, the district has strengthened safety management in various ways, including checking the early warning system, installing entry and exit blocking facilities, and adding CCTV installations.

In particular, this year, the river patrol team, which was operated on a trial basis last year, will be supplemented and expanded.

The river patrol team will consist of a total of 140 members, organized into 7 teams of 5 members each, divided into 4 groups. The team composition, which last year included one member from the neighborhood community center, one from the district office support department, and two from the autonomous disaster prevention group, has been expanded by adding one member from the Gwanak Police Station’s local police unit with their cooperation.

In the event of sudden heavy rain or a heavy rain advisory (level 1 emergency duty) or higher emergency alert, the team will guide residents out of the stream area and control the entire section of Byeolbitnaerin Stream (from Seoul National University Entrance to Guro Digital Complex Station).

Based on the experience of the pilot operation of the river patrol team, this year’s flood and typhoon period will be managed more thoroughly to prevent any safety accidents.

Meanwhile, the district will operate a Disaster Safety Countermeasure Headquarters continuously during the flood and typhoon period and promote field-centered, region-customized flood and typhoon countermeasures to prevent flood damage.

The Disaster Safety Countermeasure Headquarters is composed of 110 members in 13 teams. In case of emergency alerts, it will operate four groups on a rotating basis and separately run seven dedicated mobile teams assigned by region, enabling rapid and effective on-site response in five designated zones.

For disaster prevention, from March to April, 317 flood-vulnerable facilities such as large construction sites and slope facilities, as well as various flood control facilities, were inspected and risk factors were addressed. In April, a comprehensive survey of areas at risk of human casualties was also completed.

Additionally, the district plans to focus all efforts on preventing safety accidents by establishing a systematic and effective disaster response system, including operating a civil servant care service for flood-vulnerable areas, designating managers responsible for rainwater inlets, conducting flood and typhoon-related training and education, and promoting flood and typhoon prevention.

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “During this flood and typhoon period, we plan to achieve ZERO isolation and safety accidents at Byeolbitnaerin Stream to ensure that no human or property damage occurs, and we will thoroughly manage safety.” He added, “We will continue to strive to make Gwanak a top safety city that protects the lives and safety of residents through close cooperation with residents and related organizations.”