Braving the Cold Wave! ...Yeongdeungpo-gu Prepares Comprehensive Measures for a Warm Winter

Comprehensive Cold Wave Measures for 4 Months from November 15...Focus on Safety and Supporting the Vulnerable
Protecting Cold Wave Vulnerable Groups like Homeless and Elderly Living Alone, Minimizing Resident Discomfort with Heated Chairs and Warm Tents
Detailed Sectoral Plans to Ensure a Safe and Warm Winter from the Cold Wave

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that from November 15 to March 15 of next year, it will implement a "Comprehensive Cold Wave Countermeasure" plan aimed at minimizing inconvenience to residents due to winter cold waves, protecting vulnerable groups, and expanding welfare support.

As the harsh winter approaches, the plan is designed to ensure that residents, including socially vulnerable groups, can spend the winter safely and warmly.

■ Minimizing Residents' Daily Inconvenience through Cold Wave Management System

The district has established a three-stage response system and will operate a "Cold Wave Comprehensive Support Situation Room" when a cold wave advisory is issued to respond swiftly and minimize inconvenience to residents. Disaster helpers, consisting of visiting nurses and life support workers, deliver cold wave information to vulnerable groups and visit homes to check on their health and safety.

Additionally, heated chairs and warming tents are installed at bus stops to reduce inconvenience and damage caused by the cold wave.

■ Protecting Cold Wave Vulnerable Groups such as Elderly Living Alone, Seniors, and Disabled

Close management of vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and disabled persons is also underway. Using Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) speakers, the health of elderly living alone is monitored. In case of emergencies in homes of disabled persons requiring protection, emergency management personnel respond quickly to rescue and regularly check on their well-being through visits and phone calls.

In December of last year, Choi Ho-kwon, the Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, visited an area densely populated by homeless people.

■ Intensive Support for Vulnerable Groups such as Homeless and Residents of Gosiwon

Street counseling and patrols are strengthened to monitor the safety and health of homeless people vulnerable to cold waves. Winter emergency shelters and winter supplies are provided to help them escape the night cold. Furthermore, free boiler inspections are conducted to prevent winter accidents such as fires and pipe bursts in gosiwon (small lodging houses).

■ Special Welfare Support

For low-income households struggling with heating costs during winter, energy vouchers that can be used to purchase and use heating energy such as electricity and city gas, as well as winter bedding and other cold protection supplies, are provided.

In addition, the district conducts safety inspections of vacant houses and construction sites to prevent winter safety accidents such as fires, power outages, and pipe bursts.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, "We will broadly promote cooperative administration for vulnerable groups severely affected by the cold wave and strengthen the social safety net so that everyone can be protected. Through a thorough comprehensive cold wave countermeasure, we will minimize inconvenience to residents and create a community where the cold is lessened and warmth is increased."

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