[Seoul District News] Yeongdeungpo-gu Adds Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Detectors, Gas Timers in Yangpyeong 14th District, Mullae-dong Creative Village, Dorim-dong, Dangsan 1-dong & Prioritizes High Fire Risk Areas like Narrow Alleys, Aging Housing... Guro-gu Opens Remodeled Sugung-dong Araetmal Senior Center... Dongdaemun-gu Selects 11 Public Childcare Centers for Green Remodeling Contest
November 17, Choi Ho-kwon, Yeongdeungpo District Mayor (left), conducting an on-site inspection around Mullae-dong Creative Village
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) is taking the lead in creating fire-safe alleyways.
The district announced that it has expanded the number of fire extinguishers in areas with high fire risk and multiple on-site hazards, and supported the installation of fire detectors and gas timers in vulnerable households.
Since rapid response within 5 minutes after a fire breaks out is the golden time to prevent the spread of a large fire, the purpose is to enhance early fire response capabilities and eliminate safety blind spots by installing firefighting equipment throughout the alleys.
The areas where firefighting facilities were expanded this time include Yangpyeong 14th District, Mullae-dong Creative Village area, Dorim-dong, and Dangsan 1-dong.
Yangpyeong 14th District, where public redevelopment is underway, has old houses packed closely together along narrow alleys, making it difficult for fire trucks to pass and raising concerns that even a small spark could lead to a large fire. Also, the popular restaurant street near the ironworks in Mullae-dong has many restaurants and cafes that attract crowds, making it easy for casualties to occur in case of fire.
Accordingly, from November to December, the district installed ▲224 throw-type fire extinguishers ▲14 powder fire extinguishers ▲48 spray-type fire extinguishers ▲17 gas timers ▲31 fire detectors in Yangpyeong 14th District and Mullae-dong Creative Village area, and additionally placed a total of 20 visible fire extinguishers in Dorim-dong and Dangsan 1-dong areas.
The installation locations were decided through consultation with the fire station and local community centers, reflecting residents' opinions.
On November 22, District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon visited the Yangpyeong 14th District site to assist with the fire extinguisher installation work. On that day, Mayor Choi inspected the safety status of fire-vulnerable areas with related department staff and personally guided nearby residents attending the site on how to use throw-type fire extinguishers and initial fire response methods.
Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Choi Ho-kwon said, “We are strengthening disaster response capabilities by expanding firefighting equipment for fire prevention and initial suppression and conducting fire safety education for residents,” adding, “We will do our best to protect the lives and property of district residents from winter fires and various disasters.”
Guro-gu (District Mayor Moon Heon-il) held the opening ceremony of the ‘Sugung-dong Aretmal Senior Center’ on the 21st.
Guro-gu announced on the 23rd, “We have opened the ‘Sugung-dong Aretmal Senior Center,’ a resting space for the elderly, and have begun full-scale operation.”
Located at 4-3 Buil-ro 11-gil (Gung-dong), the Aretmal Senior Center was built with a total floor area of 86.68㎡ and two above-ground floors. The interior space was cramped and the facilities were outdated, causing inconvenience for senior center users.
Accordingly, the district started remodeling work in July this year and recently completed it.
The remodeling project focused on improving convenience for the elderly using the facilities. To block the cold, the district installed double windows and window shields inside the senior center, and repaired or completely replaced the old restrooms and kitchen. Interior wallpaper, flooring replacement, basement waterproofing, and roof work were also carried out.
The opening ceremony held on the 21st was attended by District Mayor Moon Heon-il, Ham Tae-ho, president of the Guro-gu branch of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, senior center members, and residents. The event proceeded in the order of ▲opening declaration and introduction of guests ▲greetings ▲facility tour ▲plaque unveiling ▲commemorative photo session and closing.
The senior center will begin full-scale operation following the opening ceremony.
Previously, the district has been steadily expanding and improving senior center facilities, including the establishment and opening of Saemal Senior Center in Guro 5-dong in August and Yangsongi Senior Center in Gaebong 1-dong in November.
A Guro-gu official said, “Through this remodeling, the elderly will be able to spend leisure time in a more comfortable space,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to provide a comfortable resting place for the elderly.”
Dongdaemun-gu (District Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) announced that 11 national and public daycare centers, including Kkummaru Daycare Center, were selected for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s ‘2022 Public Building Green Remodeling Contest,’ securing 1.5 billion KRW in project funds including national subsidies.
The Public Building Green Remodeling project is a representative Green New Deal initiative aimed at improving energy performance of aging public buildings (such as daycare centers and health centers) that have been in use for over 10 years and are frequented by vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
The main project contents include installing exterior wall insulation, high-performance windows, high-efficiency boilers, replacing lighting with high-efficiency LED lights, and other construction to enhance energy performance.
The district plans to incorporate the budget, conduct design services, and finalize detailed plans next year to smoothly carry out the project for the 11 selected national and public daycare centers.
Meanwhile, last year, four daycare centers were selected for the same project, and a total of 1.1 billion KRW, including 900 million KRW from national and city funds, was invested. As a result, construction was completed this year at Imun Daycare Center and Hana-reum Daycare Center, while work is currently ongoing at two other daycare centers.
A district official said, “We will continue to do our best to improve the childcare environment and provide high-quality childcare services.”
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