Jeongeup-si Promotes 'Comprehensive Measures for Heatwave Response'

[Jeongeup=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Jeongeup City, Jeonbuk Province (Mayor Yoo Jinseop) has prepared a comprehensive plan to ensure citizens' safe summer as this summer's heatwaves and tropical night days are expected to increase compared to the average.

The city announced on the 16th that it has designated the heatwave countermeasure period until September 30 and will implement a 'Comprehensive Heatwave Response Plan,' including installing shade shelters, operating cooling shelters, and running a conscientious parasol rental service.

Under the supervision of the Director of the Urban Safety Bureau, a 'Heatwave Countermeasure T/F Team' consisting of 16 members divided into three teams?Situation Management Team, Health Management Support Team, and Facility Management Team?will also be operated.

Through this, the city will establish a heatwave situation management system, maintain an emergency contact system, and promptly disseminate measures to comprehensively manage the situation.

In various parts of the city with many pedestrians, such as intersections, five additional smart shade shelters (operating at temperatures above 15℃ and wind speeds below 7m/s) will be installed, operating a total of 37 shade shelters (32 smart shade shelters and 5 foldable shade shelters).

Additionally, with a special local tax support of 16 million KRW, two more locations will be installed by the end of next month.

The city will also designate and operate 344 indoor cooling shelters equipped with air conditioning facilities in local community centers, senior centers, financial institutions, and other locations to help residents spend a safe summer.

In particular, air conditioners in indoor cooling shelters have been inspected, including filter replacement and refrigerant charging, and hand sanitizers and first aid supplies have been provided.

Indoor cooling shelters are operated mainly for COVID-19 vaccine recipients, and through quarantine guidelines and activities using disaster helpers to prevent COVID-19 infection, the city aims to reduce both heat stress and the risk of COVID-19 infection.

During heatwave warnings, the city will take all-around measures to prevent damage from heatwaves, such as placing ice at major bus stops in the city.

To prevent heat-related illnesses, the city will install and operate conscientious parasol rental stations at seven community centers in eup, myeon, and dong areas (Naejangsang-dong, Suseong-dong, Chosan-dong, Yeonji-dong, Sintaein-eup, Taein-myeon, Gobu-myeon).

Ice water will be provided at three outdoor cooling shelters, and heatwave response promotional items (portable fans, cool patches, cool arm sleeves, tumblers, etc.) will be produced to minimize heatwave damage.

The city will promptly disseminate heatwave risk information through disaster and emergency text messages, disaster early warning systems, and electronic display boards, and actively promote preventive behavior guidelines using various media.

Mayor Yoo Jinseop said, "During heatwaves, please refrain from outdoor activities as much as possible and thoroughly manage your personal health by frequently drinking cool water," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that all citizens can spend the hot summer safely and healthily."

Jeongeup=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil gjg7070@asiae.co.kr