Departmental Collaboration Until End of September... T/F Team Operates for Heatwave Response
Mayor Lee Kangduk: "Minimize Damage by Focusing on Vulnerable Groups and Facilities"
Pohang City has launched comprehensive measures to minimize damage to citizens caused by the summer heatwave.
Lee Gangdeok, mayor of Pohang, adding ice to a fish farm during a past heatwave to prevent the water temperature from rising.
With temperatures exceeding 30°C since early June, Pohang City is operating a heatwave response task force (T/F team) in cooperation with related departments such as the Safety Management Division, Welfare for the Elderly and Disabled Division, Nam-gu and Buk-gu Public Health Centers, and the Agricultural Policy Division until September 30, the designated heatwave response period, to implement comprehensive countermeasures.
The city has established a rapid heatwave information delivery system to send disaster alert messages and disseminate action guidelines through electronic displays and village broadcasts when heatwave advisories or warnings are issued.
In particular, to protect vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, the elderly living alone, and those with limited mobility, the city has designated social workers, elderly care workers, community leaders, members of the local disaster prevention group, and responsible public officials as disaster helpers to conduct welfare check calls and in-person health checks.
The city also actively promotes preventive measures against heat-related illnesses, establishes emergency contact networks for the elderly living alone and people with disabilities, and promptly communicates situations when heatwave warnings are issued.
Additionally, 633 indoor cooling shelters equipped with air conditioning, such as local senior centers, will be operated during the heatwave response period. To provide comfort for pedestrians waiting at busy intersections and traffic islands, 214 shade shelters (209 fixed, 5 smart) will be available.
Furthermore, 29 smart bus stops with heating and cooling systems will be operated so that citizens can wait for buses in a more comfortable environment.
By installing cooling fog systems in Cheolgil Forest and operating street sprinklers, the city aims to alleviate the urban heat island effect. During the heatwave response period, Pohang City will also cooperate with local emergency medical institutions (Pohang St. Mary’s Hospital, Pohang Semyeong Christian Hospital, S Pohang Hospital, Pohang Medical Center, Good Sunlin Hospital) to continuously monitor and share information on heat-related illness cases.
To reduce damage in rural and fishing areas, the city will operate an agricultural disaster response situation room and establish an emergency reporting system to monitor heatwave damage to crops. A livestock heatwave response T/F team will also be operated to develop livestock management measures. Publicity for fishermen will be strengthened through on-site visits to aquaculture farms by fisheries guidance officials from the Fisheries Office.
In addition, shading facilities will be installed in aquaculture facilities to prevent indoor temperature rise, and support will be provided for monitoring water temperature and dissolved oxygen, as well as for prompt expert diagnosis and treatment in case of disease outbreaks. The city will also thoroughly educate and promote heatwave action guidelines to farmers and fishermen through various crop group trainings and other means.
Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "We will establish a close response system prioritizing the health and safety of citizens and focus on managing vulnerable groups and facilities to minimize damage from the heatwave. We also ask citizens to refrain from outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day and to follow heatwave action guidelines."
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