Gijang-gun Responds to Prolonged Heatwave with Resident-Focused Countermeasures

Operation of Bottled Water Sharing Refrigerators and Distribution of Heat Illness Prevention Kits

Intensive Implementation of Everyday Heatwave Measures Including Road Water Sprinkler Trucks

Gijang-gun, Busan (Governor Jung Jongbok) announced on the 22nd that it is making an all-out effort to minimize heatwave-related damages such as heat-related illnesses among residents as the recent heatwave continues for an extended period.

In particular, the county is focusing on implementing practical, everyday measures against the heatwave that residents can directly benefit from.

Recently, the county has been operating free water-sharing refrigerators at eight locations, including the No. 1 public parking lot at Gijang Market, the county office, the public health center, and civil service offices in towns and townships. A total of 2,600 bottles of water are stocked in the refrigerators daily, and this water-sharing initiative will continue until the end of September, when the heatwave response period concludes.

Additionally, heat illness prevention kits?consisting of cooling towels, cooling sheets, cooling sleeves, and bamboo salt candy?have been placed in first aid kits at 203 cooling shelters. If residents experience suspected symptoms of heat-related illnesses after long exposure to heat, they can use the cooling towels and sheets at nearby shelters to lower their body temperature and replenish salt with bamboo salt candy, which can serve as an alternative to saline glucose, allowing for a multi-faceted response in emergencies.

Six water-spraying trucks are in operation, spraying an average of more than 216 tons of water daily over approximately 190 kilometers of major arterial roads to reduce road surface heat and mitigate the urban heat island effect. The county is also operating a total of 152 crosswalk sunshades?an increase of 28 from last year?helping pedestrians find temporary relief from the scorching sun.

In addition, the county is implementing comprehensive safety measures to minimize heatwave damage for residents, including: ▲visiting health care services for vulnerable groups ▲on-site inspections and support for agricultural, livestock, and fisheries households ▲support for cooling costs at senior centers ▲installation and operation of air curtains at bus stops ▲Cool Roof support projects ▲customized care services for seniors, and more.

Jung Jongbok, Governor of Gijang-gun, stated, "Until the day this summer's heatwave subsides, we will continue to actively support residents with a variety of heatwave countermeasures so that everyone can stay healthy throughout the summer," adding, "We also ask all residents to refrain from outdoor activities during the hottest hours and to ensure adequate hydration and rest."

The county has organized a 'Heatwave Response Task Force' with 10 collaborating departments, divided into three teams: Situation Management, Health Support, and Field Response, carrying out diverse heatwave response activities in each area and maintaining emergency duty not only on weekdays but also on weekends.

Jongbok Jeong, mayor of Gijang County, is inspecting the free bottled water sharing refrigerator installed at Gijang Market public parking lot.

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