Dongdaemun-gu Strengthens Protection for Homeless People on Streets During Winter

[Seoul District News] Dongdaemun-gu Establishes Emergency Response System to Protect Homeless Vulnerable to Cold Waves Operates Emergency Relief Patrol and Street Counseling Teams Expands Patrols to Prevent Accidents During Cold Wave Alerts ...Immediate Report Upon Discovery During Patrol by Dong Resident Center Staff at Cheongnyangni-dong Fire Site on the 4th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) is establishing an emergency response system to protect homeless people vulnerable to the winter cold.

First, to manage homeless people during winter, emergency relief patrol teams and street counseling teams for the homeless will be operated. They plan to strengthen patrol activities mainly in vulnerable areas such as Cheongnyangni Station. In addition to regular daytime patrols, four teams of two people each will operate during nights and holidays, expanding patrols during cold wave alerts to prevent accidents.

Homeless individuals at risk of cold wave damage will receive customized services such as facility admission or hospital treatment depending on their health condition. If admission is refused, heating supplies such as hot packs, sleeping bags, and winter underwear will be provided to minimize harm.

Support systems with related organizations will also be strengthened. For efficient protection of the homeless, a public-private joint response system will be established with the police, fire stations, homeless shelters, and medical institutions to ensure immediate transfer to hospitals or facilities in case of severe illness or emergencies.

Bang Jong-nam, Director of the Social Welfare Division, stated, “We will support in various ways to prevent safety accidents among the homeless from the winter cold in advance and help them spend the winter healthily.”

On the 4th at around 12 noon, Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, and Dongdaemun-gu officials visited the fire site in Cheongnyangni-dong to check the firefighting status and damage situation.

At 10:31 a.m. that day, a fire broke out at a restaurant in Cheongnyangni-dong. The fire was completely extinguished at 1:22 p.m. Two firefighters were injured during the firefighting.

The fire was first discovered by an employee of the Cheongnyangni-dong Community Service Center who was patrolling the area. The employee confirmed the scene and immediately reported it to the fire station.

Subsequently, the situation was reported to the Safety and Disaster Division, which activated the Integrated Support Headquarters. Under the Integrated Support Headquarters, the Architecture Division conducted a building safety inspection, and the Health and Hygiene Division carried out disaster recovery. The district is also reviewing waste disposal measures.

On the Safety Inspection Day, set as the 4th of every month, the district proceeded as planned with patrols of traditional markets and safety-vulnerable areas starting at 4:50 p.m.

Traditional markets, densely packed with aging buildings, are particularly vulnerable to fires and safety accidents. Accordingly, the district conducted inspections directly in the traditional market areas to prevent fires and safety-related accidents.

The patrol focused on areas with past fire incidents such as Cheongnyangni Agricultural and Marine Products Market, Cheongnyangni Fruit and Vegetable Market, Cheongnyangni Traditional Market, and Dongseo Market, which has a large floating population and many aging buildings, from 4:50 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The patrol included the Fire Station’s Prevention Division Chief, Hazardous Materials Safety Team Leader, two staff members, the market merchants’ association president, the Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, the Director of Planning and Finance Bureau, the Director and team leader of the Safety and Disaster Division, the Director and team leader of the Economic Promotion Division, and the head of the relevant community service center, conducting a joint inspection.

Along with safety inspections, fire prevention guidance was provided to traditional market merchants, and safety-related opinions were collected.

Mayor Lee Pil-hyung of Dongdaemun-gu stated, “Disasters including fires require constant and thorough vigilance and preparation. We will continue safety inspections to make Dongdaemun-gu a place where residents can live with peace of mind.”