Establishment of a Proactive Response System Including 24-Hour Emergency Duty
Gangdong-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Lee Su-hee) is implementing the '2024 Winter Comprehensive Measures' to prevent disasters and safety accidents during the upcoming winter season.
The district has designated a four-month period from the 15th of this month to March next year as the winter comprehensive measures period, and plans to make every effort to ensure the safe wintering of residents through 14 detailed projects in four major areas: cold wave, snow removal, safety, and daily life.
In the cold wave sector, when a cold wave advisory is issued, the 'Cold Wave Comprehensive Support Situation Room' will be operated for prompt and efficient response. For vulnerable groups during the winter season, projects such as maintaining community safety lines and supporting winter countermeasure funds will be promoted. A total of 65 locations, including the Gangdong-gu Office main building (1 location), community service centers (18 locations), and district-run senior centers (46 locations), will be designated and operated as cold wave shelters.
For elderly living alone receiving home care services, customized elderly care services and free meals will be provided, and safety checks will be strengthened regularly. Winter countermeasure funds will also be supported for facilities housing people with disabilities, and patrols to protect the homeless will be intensified to establish a dense welfare safety net.
Additionally, to prepare for freezing of water meters and water pipes caused by severe cold, water supply vehicles will be kept in a ready state, and bottled Arisu water and other supplies will be secured in advance to prepare for water outages.
In the snow removal sector, the 'Snow Removal Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' will operate 24 hours during snowfall, and materials stockpiling and equipment inspections are being thoroughly conducted for rapid snow removal work. In particular, 1,441 tons of deicing agents such as calcium chloride have been secured, and road heating systems to prevent icing are being additionally installed at seven vulnerable snow removal sections. Furthermore, to minimize inconvenience to residents during snowfall, detour routes for three city bus lines have been secured, and a traffic countermeasure team will also be operated.
In the safety sector, fire safety measures will be promoted to prevent large-scale fires that are likely to occur in winter and to minimize casualties. The 'Forest Fire Prevention Countermeasures Headquarters' will be operated for emergency response in case of forest fires, and emergency duty will be conducted in preparation for forest fires caused by North Korean trash balloons.
Moreover, pre-inspections will be conducted on multi-use facilities such as construction sites, roads, flood control, and gas facilities to proactively respond to resident safety. To respond quickly to respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza, which are prevalent in winter, an epidemiological investigation team will be formed and a 24-hour emergency contact system will be maintained.
In the daily life sector, a 'Price Countermeasures Comprehensive Situation Room' will be operated in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday to stabilize prices. Investigations will be conducted on 26 essential goods and personal service fees such as dining out costs to implement substantial price stabilization measures. In addition, if the average concentration of fine dust exceeds 35 μg/m³, emergency reduction measures such as a two-day vehicle operation system will be implemented, and timely collection of various household wastes including kimchi-making waste and leaf cleaning will be carried out to prevent accumulation in rainwater drains. Safety inspections of energy supply facilities will also be conducted to ensure stable energy supply during the winter season.
District Mayor Lee Su-hee said, “We will prioritize the health and safety of residents from cold waves and disaster accidents during winter and make every effort to implement the comprehensive winter measures.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.


