Gwangju Seo-gu to Conduct Disaster Response Safety Drill on the 25th

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, will conduct the '2023 Disaster Response Safe Korea Drill' on the 25th to promote safety culture awareness among residents and establish a response system among related organizations in the event of a disaster.

According to Seo-gu on the 24th, the purpose of this drill is to reduce damage to residents' lives and property by ensuring appropriate initial response and rapid damage recovery through cooperation among related organizations during a disaster.

Seogu District Office building. [Photo by Seogu]

The drill will involve more than 20 related organizations including the Western Fire Station, Western Police Station, and the Korea Land Safety Management Institute, as well as private groups such as the Seo-gu Autonomous Disaster Prevention Corps, Safety Monitor Volunteer Group, and local residents.

On the day, the drill will simulate a complex disaster scenario involving fire, gas explosion, and collapse at a multi-use facility. To enhance practical disaster response capabilities, it will be conducted as a surprise drill without prior disclosure of the time or situation messages.

This year’s drill will simultaneously conduct discussion training and field training to improve disaster capabilities according to situations and roles.

The discussion training will take place at the Seo-gu Disaster Safety Situation Room, presided over by the district mayor, who is the head of the Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. Thirteen functional task forces will participate to conduct situation assessment meetings and recovery support countermeasure meetings.

The field training, held at multi-use facilities in the Chipyeong-dong area, will focus on accident site recovery activities with participation from the Seo-gu Integrated Support Headquarters, related organizations, private groups, and the public experience team.

In particular, the plan is to strengthen the collaboration system by utilizing the disaster safety communication network and sharing real-time site situations between the disaster site and the situation room through YouTube video streaming.

After the drill, Seo-gu will conduct a self-evaluation to disseminate exemplary cases and improve and supplement any shortcomings, ensuring thorough preparation for future disasters.

Kim Ikang, the mayor of Seo-gu, said, “Realistic drills among related organizations are important for a swift and efficient response to unexpected disasters. We will do our best to protect the safety of residents through continuous training to prepare for unpredictable disasters.”

Shin Dongho, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr