Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, Urgently Inspects Snow Removal Measures in Preparation for Heavy Snow and Cold Wave

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On the morning of the 26th, Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, conducted an emergency inspection of snow removal measures for vulnerable snow removal areas and major roads in the district following the issuance of a heavy snow advisory after a cold wave, ordering full-scale snow removal efforts to minimize inconvenience to residents.

On the morning of the 26th, anticipating inconvenience for residents commuting due to the heavy snow advisory and overnight snowfall, Mayor Park Gang-su personally visited various locations in the district to check the snow removal situation and encourage employees participating in snow removal work from early morning.

The district has concentrated 10 snow removal vehicles and personnel in 76 designated intensive snow removal management areas in preparation for heavy snowfall, and has focused on spreading de-icing agents on alleys and major roads to prevent icing.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “With a cold wave followed by a heavy snow forecast, the safety of vulnerable residents such as the elderly is the top priority. We will thoroughly monitor the response status in areas such as snow removal on alleys and major roads and care for vulnerable groups against the cold to do our best to prevent any casualties.”

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, Encourages Employees While Participating in Snow Removal Work

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) announced on the morning of the 26th that all employees except essential civil service staff were deployed for snow removal work.

To minimize inconvenience on the commute caused by the heavy snowfall from early dawn and to prevent safety accidents, snow removal was carried out at all places frequented by residents, from subway stations and bus stops to main roads, side streets, and alleys.

Mayor Lee Pil-hyung also visited the snow removal sites and encouraged employees by helping to clear snow despite the cold weather. He worked up a sweat removing snow piled on side streets and sloped sidewalks around Jeonnong 2-dong Community Service Center using brooms and snow shovels.

Mayor Lee said, “We will promptly carry out snow removal to prevent inconvenience to residents due to the heavy snowfall and carefully check for icy roads and vulnerable snow removal areas.”

Meanwhile, Dongdaemun-gu has significantly increased dedicated snow removal personnel and is using snow removal equipment such as sidewalk snow blowers and calcium chloride spreaders to reduce the burden on employees and conduct efficient snow removal, striving to make Dongdaemun-gu safe from heavy snow.

Gangdong-gu Conducts the Nation’s First Disaster Response Radio Communication Drill Based on Disaster Safety Communication Network Among Basic Local Governments

Plans to Regularly Conduct Year-Round Simulation Drills for Various Disaster Types Including Heavy Snow, Wind and Water Damage, and Large Fires

Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Soo-hee) announced that on the 25th, it conducted the first disaster response radio communication drill based on the disaster safety communication network among basic local governments, involving collaborative departments, fire stations, police stations, and other related agencies, to build a more robust disaster response system by actively utilizing the disaster safety communication network that failed to function properly during the Itaewon tragedy.

After the Itaewon tragedy, despite significant budget investment and purchase of the disaster safety communication network, there have been repeated criticisms in the media due to unfamiliarity with its use and low response rates in communication drills, leading to some negative perceptions about the disaster safety communication network utilization system.

In response, Gangdong-gu plans to proactively conduct simulation drills based on the disaster safety communication network tailored to various disaster situations such as heavy snow, wind and water damage, and large fires starting this year, aiming to ensure disaster department officials are familiar with the network’s use, secure the effectiveness of disaster site action manuals, and strengthen communication systems with key disaster management agencies including police, fire, and medical services.

The main content of this drill was a simulated scenario of wildfire disaster response in Gangdong-gu during the dry spring season, including reporting, reception, firefighting, and damage recovery procedures. Collaborative departments and related agencies communicated via disaster safety communication network terminals to conduct radio communication, considering possible situations in actual disasters. The purpose was to improve practical response capabilities and create a usable manual for field operations.

Additionally, the district participates daily in Seoul city communication drills and independently conducts communication drills with the disaster safety countermeasures headquarters’ functional departments and related agencies such as police and fire.

After this wildfire disaster simulation drill, the district plans to prepare scenarios for each disaster type and regularly conduct simulation drills. Following the drills, it will finalize the “On-Site Command Manual (tentative name)” to steadily establish an action manual that can be activated during various actual disasters.

Mayor Lee Soo-hee of Gangdong-gu said, “We will continue meticulous and thorough disaster and safety accident management to prevent incidents like the Itaewon tragedy from occurring in Gangdong-gu. We will proactively respond for the life and safety of our residents.”