Protecting Vulnerable Groups and Prioritizing Resident Safety... Yeongdeungpo-gu Implements 'Comprehensive Winter Measures'

Focused on 5 Key Areas: Cold Wave, Snow Removal, Safety, Health & Environment, and Livelihood Stability until March Next Year
Full Support for Vulnerable Groups Including Elderly Welfare Checks, Expansion of Warmth Tents, Heating Cost and Supplies Assistance, Strengthened Medication Support... Proactive Heavy Snow Response with Road Heating Installation, Small-Pack Snow Removal Agents, and Sprayers Prepared
Establishment of Life-Oriented Measures Including Facility Safety Inspections and Food & Price Monitoring

Choi Ho-gwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District (right), is consoling homeless people by visiting areas densely populated by the homeless in preparation for the cold wave last November.

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it will implement the ‘2023/2024 Winter Comprehensive Measures’ focusing on cold waves, snow removal, safety, health, and livelihood from November 15 to March 15 of next year.

The ‘2023/2024 Winter Comprehensive Measures’ mainly aim to protect vulnerable groups and prepare for winter safety accidents in response to the Korea Meteorological Administration’s forecast of heavy snow and large temperature fluctuations this winter.

◇ Customized Cold Wave Measures for the Vulnerable

The district has prepared ‘customized cold wave measures’ for vulnerable groups such as low-income households, the elderly, and homeless people who are more severely affected by cold waves. Heating supplies such as electric mats and gloves will be provided to 300 low-income vulnerable households susceptible to cold waves. Compared to last year, the target for heating cost support has been expanded, and the safety and health of over 500 elderly people will be monitored using the Internet of Things (IoT). Patrol activities for residents of small rooms and homeless people will be strengthened, and a more robust and detailed welfare network will be established through the operation of cold wave shelters, warming tents, and heated chairs. Lastly, a dedicated cold wave situation management task force (T/F) and the Cold Wave Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will be activated to maintain an emergency work system.

◇ Prompt and Proactive Snow Removal Measures

The district will also take the lead in flawless snow removal responses to heavy snowfall. Various snow removal equipment such as small-packaged snow melting agents and spreaders, ready for immediate use in sudden heavy snow, have been prepared. Additionally, road heating cables will be installed on slopes or sections where snow removal is difficult to ensure the safety of residents.

◇ Thorough Safety Inspections Covering Blind Spots!

Safety inspections will be conducted on facilities closely related to residents’ daily lives, such as multi-use facilities, welfare facilities, traditional markets, and sports facilities, to prevent various safety accidents including fires, power outages, cracks, and pipe bursts. Safety inspections will also be promoted for construction sites, parks, and gas supply facilities.

◇ Meticulous Infectious Disease Prevention and Food Safety

Measures for residents’ health, including prevention of infectious diseases such as influenza, mosquitoes, and COVID-19, as well as winter food safety, will be carefully managed. First, in line with the transition of COVID-19 to a level 4 infectious disease and the implementation of level 2 measures, the COVID-19 monitoring and response system will be maintained. At the same time, preemptive control of mosquito larvae during the winter season will be undertaken. The district will also implement a high-concentration fine dust and yellow dust warning system that threatens residents’ health. For safe food, hygiene inspections of agricultural, marine, and livestock products and guidance inspections on the labeling of the origin of agricultural and marine products will be conducted. Lastly, hygiene inspections will be carried out targeting children’s favorite food preparation and sales establishments, group catering facilities, and delivery restaurants, where demand increases during Christmas and Lunar New Year.

Yeongdeungpo-gu Warmth Tent Installed at Bus Stop

◇ Measures to Stabilize Residents’ Livelihoods

In addition, the district will continuously monitor price trends to promote price stability and work to establish a fair trade order by cracking down on unfair trade practices.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “With a severe cold wave forecast this year, we will implement comprehensive measures focusing on preventing safety accidents and securing residents’ safety so that residents can spend the winter safely and warmly. Through these more thorough comprehensive measures, we will also focus on walking together with the vulnerable, ensuring that no resident is left out and everyone can have a warm winter.”