855 Yangcheon-gu Disaster Helpers Care for Cold Wave Vulnerable Groups

Comprehensive Cold Wave Countermeasures Until March 15 Next Year, Operation of Cold Wave TF and Comprehensive Support Situation Room, 855 Disaster Helpers Active
Expansion of Cold Wave Mitigation Facilities Including 65 Cold Wave Shelters, 134 Heated Chairs, and 34 Warmth Charging Stations
Installation of Smart Devices Such as AI Speakers in About 730 Elderly Households for Real-Time Safety Monitoring Against Cold Wave
Self-Health Management Support for Elderly with Chronic Diseases, Designated Monitoring and Management for Cold Wave, Safety Inspections of Facilities Including Construction Sites

Yangcheon-gu (District Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced that it has established a "Comprehensive Cold Wave Countermeasure" to prevent various safety accidents and casualties caused by the winter cold wave, and will implement it from this month until March 15 of next year.

The district operates a "Cold Wave Comprehensive Support Situation Room" composed of 40 members in 5 teams, including cold wave situation management, welfare measures, and facility management, to promptly disseminate information and receive and support damage reports.

The "Disaster Helpers," consisting of health and medical professionals, elderly caregivers, community leaders, and local autonomous disaster prevention members, have increased by 39 people compared to last year, operating about 850 members. When a cold wave advisory is issued, they visit and check on vulnerable groups through phone calls and provide guidance on cold wave preparedness.

Until mid-March next year, when the cold snap continues, the district will operate 65 cold wave shelters such as district-run senior centers and welfare centers for the elderly, and expand the installation of "heated seats" that add warmth to bus stop seats to 134 locations, an increase of 104. At 34 bus stops with heavy foot traffic, "Warmth Charging Stations," which are windproof facilities, will be installed.

Customized care services for elderly vulnerable to cold waves will also be strengthened. Smart care devices using artificial intelligence speakers and Internet of Things technology will be installed in about 730 households, an increase of 31 households compared to last year, to monitor real-time safety in the homes of elderly living alone or very old.

About 900 elderly people living alone, with disabilities, or chronic diseases are designated as regular and intensive monitoring targets. When a cold wave advisory is issued, about 30 visiting nurses will visit and use phone calls, texts, and app notifications to disseminate weather information and check safety. Support for self-health management of elderly with chronic diseases, which may become lax due to the cold wave, is also provided. Using health measurement devices such as wrist activity trackers and Bluetooth blood pressure monitors along with smartphone apps, health goals such as blood sugar and blood pressure are closely managed. Experts such as nutritionists and exercise instructors assist with systematic management including essential winter nutrition intake and fall prevention strength training.

In cooperation with three emergency medical institutions in the region, a cold-related disease emergency patient monitoring system has been established. For 9,400 households including basic livelihood security recipients, medical aid recipients, and low-income veterans, 50,000 KRW per household is provided as winter countermeasure funds from city funds.

To ensure safe public transportation during winter, an early-month pre-inspection was conducted on 36 village buses in the district to check for winter equipment readiness. Safety inspections of about 760 locations including apartment complexes, construction sites, multi-use facilities, and traditional markets will be completed by the end of this month.

Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, "We will faithfully implement the comprehensive cold wave countermeasures so that all residents can spend a warm and comfortable winter."

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