Yeongdeungpo-gu Doubles Disaster Helpers to Prepare for This Summer's Heatwave

Operation of heatwave countermeasures from May 20 to September 30... All departments collaborate organically under the 'Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters'... 1,454 disaster helpers, a 91% increase from last year... 120 heatshade shelters and shade trees (mok) expanded... 337 cooling centers operated with thorough COVID-19 prevention... Strict heatwave response in coordination with medical institutions

Last year, residents' families are spending a cool evening at the 24-hour Owl Shelter installed in the district office annex.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Chae Hyun-il) has designated the period from May 20 to September 30 as the comprehensive heatwave countermeasure period and has fully activated the ‘Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters,’ establishing an organic cooperation system across all departments.

As heatwaves are expected to become increasingly severe due to recent climate changes, the district will protect the lives and safety of residents through proactive heatwave measures.

First, compared to last year, the number of disaster helpers assisting vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled has been doubled to 1,454 and deployed.

Disaster helpers visit vulnerable groups directly or check on them via phone calls to confirm their health and quickly disseminate information when heatwave warnings are issued.

Additionally, the number of special protection targets such as residents of small rooms, elderly living alone, homeless people, and chronic patients has been increased by 784 from last year to a total of 8,419, with visiting nurses regularly checking their health.

The district will provide rest spaces for residents by installing additional heatwave mitigation facilities. The number of heatwave shade shelters and eco-friendly wooden shade trees (Geuneulmok) will each be expanded by 10, operating a total of 120.

‘Cooling fog,’ which sprays mist to lower the surrounding temperature, will be newly installed this year at Daerim Children’s Park and Dangsan Park, in addition to Munrae Park established last year, operating in a total of three locations.

The district has prepared 337 heatwave shelters to prevent heatwave damage, including an owl shelter operating 24 hours in the annex auditorium of the district office, and shelters set up throughout the community such as senior centers, community service centers, and small libraries.

Each heatwave shelter will have a designated manager responsible for safety, ensuring the provision of hand sanitizers and regular disinfection to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

AI speakers will be installed in 300 households of elderly living alone to provide information on major news, COVID-19 updates, and medication times. Care managers will make regular visits to check on the elderly.

Furthermore, IoT devices installed in 224 households of elderly living alone will monitor movements in real time and continuously check illumination, temperature, and humidity.

The homeless street counseling team will strengthen 24-hour patrols during summer. During heatwave warnings, homeless individuals will be moved to shelters, and mobile bathing vehicles will operate in areas with high concentrations of homeless people to prevent heat-related illnesses.

When heatwave warnings are issued, construction sites in the area will implement rest breaks between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to help workers cool down.

To prevent urban heat island effects, when the maximum temperature reaches 33℃ or higher, seven water spraying trucks will operate three times a day to clean major arterial roads and bus central lanes. During heatwave alerts and warnings, operating hours will be extended to lower road surface temperatures.

24-hour Owl Shelter Installed Last Year at the District Office Annex

In addition, the district will cooperate with nine local emergency medical institutions and emergency room operating medical institutions to prevent heat-related illnesses and ensure rapid response.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, residents are going through a physically and mentally difficult summer,” and added, “We will do our best to prepare measures so that all residents can have a safe and healthy summer.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.