Naju-si to Operate 'Comprehensive Heatwave Response Situation Room' Until Next Month

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) has designated the period until the end of next month as the heatwave countermeasure period and is operating a “Comprehensive Heatwave Countermeasure Situation Room” composed of three teams: the “General Situation Team,” the “Health Management Support Team,” and the “Facility Management Team.”

According to the city on the 5th, this measure focuses on disseminating heatwave information, special protection for vulnerable groups, safety measures for outdoor workers, safety management of heatwave-vulnerable facilities, and promotion of citizen action guidelines, implementing multifaceted, field-centered heatwave safety and mitigation measures that citizens can feel.

The city has established an emergency contact network for heatwave-vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and those with mobility difficulties, and is using disaster helpers such as dedicated health management personnel and elderly caregivers to visit and call to provide guidance on action guidelines and check on their well-being.

Cooling shelters for vulnerable groups with difficult access to air conditioning facilities are operated flexibly in accordance with the COVID-19 situation.

A total of 614 cooling shelters are supplied with masks, hand sanitizers, thermometers, etc., and during the heatwave period, the operation of air conditioners, availability of emergency supplies, and management of quarantine hygiene will be continuously inspected.

Parasol-type shade shelters installed in places frequently visited by citizens such as road crosswalks and parks will be operated at a total of 215 locations, including 5 new locations this year.

When a heatwave advisory is issued, four water spraying trucks will be operated to cool down the heated road surfaces in Bitgaram-dong, the old downtown area, and Yeongsanpo region.

The city hall, Agricultural Technology Center, and 20 eup, myeon, and dong administrative welfare centers provide parasol rental services for citizens exposed to the scorching sun.

The city is urging the operation of “heat rest time” for outdoor workers vulnerable to heat through inspections of construction sites.

Focusing on large-scale construction sites such as city and rural road widening and reservoir renovation projects, sufficient rest is encouraged during the hottest hours from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and education on heatstroke for workers and response guidelines for each risk level are also provided.

Efforts are being made to promote heatwave caution and action guidelines using available media such as village broadcasts, SNS, websites, electronic display boards, and telephone, and prevention campaigns at multi-use facilities will be promoted according to the COVID-19 situation.

Mayor Kang In-gyu said, “As the heatwave continues day after day amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, managing citizens’ health is more important than ever,” adding, “We will meticulously implement heatwave countermeasures in each sector so that citizens can have a healthy summer.”

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bong2910@asiae.co.kr