Gwacheon City Mobilizes All-Out Heat Wave Response…Operating 138 Shade Structures and 48 Cool Shelters
To protect the lives and health of citizens from the continuing extreme heat, Gwacheon City is implementing a 'comprehensive heat wave response plan for summer' that includes operating cool shelters, expanding heat reduction facilities, protecting vulnerable populations, and strengthening safety management for outdoor workers.
The city has designated the period through September 30 as its heat wave response period and plans to maintain inter-departmental cooperation and constantly monitor heat wave situations to focus administrative efforts on minimizing citizen damage.
First, the city is operating 48 cool shelters so citizens can escape the heat in nearby locations. Among these, 8 shelters have extended operating hours for convenience during peak heat exposure times, and 1 shelter is open on weekends to enhance accessibility.
Heat reduction facilities have also been expanded. The city is operating 138 shade structures at crossings and pedestrian paths, and this year added 15 new structures and replaced 11 aging ones to create a safer and more pleasant walking environment.
The city is also focusing on protecting heat-vulnerable populations. Gwacheon City produced 1,800 heat prevention kits for vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and low-income residents to prevent heat-related illnesses, and distributed them through welfare organizations from August 5 to 7. The prevention kits contained items such as UV parasols, hats, and cooling neck wraps to support health management.
The city is also strengthening safety management for outdoor workers. From August 3 to 14, the city is conducting surprise inspections at construction sites to focus on checking whether rest facilities are installed, sufficient break times are guaranteed, cooling and drinking water facilities are provided, and heat illness prevention guidelines are observed. The city plans to continuously strengthen on-site safety management to prevent industrial accidents caused by extreme heat.
In Honeybee Village, a densely packed vinyl greenhouse area, the city will conduct fire prevention and safety inspections on August 12. The city will inspect electrical and gas facilities as well as fire prevention facilities and preemptively remove fire hazards to thoroughly respond to fire prevention caused by extreme heat.
The city is also actively promoting the 'Five National Heat Prevention Guidelines' through disaster text messages, the city website, social media, electronic display boards, and banners.
Gwacheon Mayor Shin Gye-yong stated, "Extreme heat is a representative natural disaster that threatens the lives and safety of citizens, making advance preparation and on-site response all the more crucial." He added, "We will do our utmost to ensure all citizens enjoy a safe summer by seamlessly implementing expansion of heat reduction facilities, operation of cool shelters, customized support for vulnerable groups, safety inspections at construction sites and fire-prone areas, and promotion of the five national heat prevention guidelines."