Preparing for Natural and Social Disasters Caused by Global Warming
Comprehensive Disaster Management: 3 Major Areas, 63 Types, 109 Measures
Mayor Kim Dong-geun: "We Will Make Uijeongbu a Safe and Desirable City Where Everyone's Daily Life and Workplace Are Secure"
Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Dong-geun) announced on the 5th that it will establish a comprehensive disaster management system to prepare for natural disasters and social disasters caused by climate change.
Kim Dong-geun, Mayor of Uijeongbu, inspecting the site after a heavy rain warning was issued last year. Provided by Uijeongbu City.
Uijeongbu City has established a comprehensive safety management plan that includes 3 major areas, 63 types, and 109 management measures to systematically respond to disasters and safety accidents. This plan is formulated annually in accordance with the 'Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety' and serves as a comprehensive guide (manual) covering both natural and social disasters.
In the event of a large-scale disaster, the city immediately activates the 'Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' led by the mayor as the head of the headquarters, and organizes 13 task forces composed of department heads and heads of related organizations to respond to disaster situation management, emergency livelihood support, emergency restoration of facility damage, traffic measures support, and more.
Additionally, through a 'Situation Assessment Meeting,' the city inspects emergency measures such as accommodating disaster victims and distributing relief supplies, and decides whether support from related and higher-level organizations is necessary.
To minimize damage from heavy snow and cold waves during winter, the city has established a 'Comprehensive Winter Natural Disaster Countermeasure.' An emergency duty system has been in operation from November 15 last year to March 15 this year, and immediate snow removal work is carried out upon snowfall forecasts to minimize inconvenience to citizens.
Furthermore, in cooperation with the 'Local Autonomous Disaster Prevention Corps,' consisting of 24 private organizations and 574 members, the city strengthens seasonal natural disaster pre-inspection activities such as heavy snow, heavy rain, and typhoons. They perform various disaster prevention activities including snow removal and maintenance of back roads, establishing a disaster response system involving both the public and private sectors.
The city is also implementing various policies that approach citizens to create a safer urban environment from the increasing social disasters.
First, the city operates 'Lifecycle Citizen Safety Education' targeting all age groups from infants to the elderly. Through practical training focused on six major disaster areas?daily life, traffic, natural disasters, social infrastructure, crime, and health safety?the city enhances citizens' response capabilities. This education is designed for quick action in urgent moments and is conducted by visiting safety-vulnerable groups within the city such as daycare centers, local children's centers, and elderly welfare facilities, using practice mannequins and other tools.
In addition, the city operates a 'Life Safety Insurance' program that anyone registered as a resident in Uijeongbu can benefit from without any enrollment procedures, supporting the minimization of disaster and accident damage and rapid return to daily life.
Before and after holidays, joint safety inspections are conducted on traditional markets and large retail facilities in cooperation with related organizations such as the police station, fire station, and Korea Electrical Safety Corporation. The city also operates a 'Safety Management Advisory Group' for safety inspections of major facilities such as buildings, bridges, and tunnels.
To prevent major disasters, the city has formed a 'Major Disaster Task Force' since 2022 and is operating a safety and health management system under the vision of 'Uijeongbu, a safe and desirable city where everyone's daily life and workplace are safe.'
To prevent major industrial accidents that may occur at industrial sites, safety managers, health managers, and industrial health doctors are assigned to conduct thorough inspections (monitoring). Along with this, to prevent major citizen disasters caused by defects in public facilities or public transportation, each relevant department annually establishes safety plans for target facilities and secures and operates safety personnel and budgets.
Moreover, to prevent ground subsidence accidents, the city mandates underground safety evaluations for projects involving excavation work above a certain scale, conducts on-site inspections through the annually established 'Underground Safety Management Plan,' and has established a cooperative system among underground facility management entities.
Mayor Kim Dong-geun said, "Since disasters can occur anytime and anywhere, thorough preparation is crucial," adding, "Through systematic response and prevention activities for natural and social disasters, we will create an environment where citizens can live with peace of mind and realize 'Uijeongbu, a safe and desirable city where everyone's daily life and workplace are safe.'"
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