Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 3rd that it will implement winter disaster safety measures until March 15th next year to ensure the safety of citizens from cold waves and heavy snow this winter.
The measures include reinforcing response capabilities through an AI-based 119 emergency call reception system in case of call surges, operating emergency situation rooms to enhance situation management at each stage, strengthening field response systems such as preventive patrols in vulnerable residential areas and rapid transport of patients with cold-related illnesses, and supporting districts vulnerable to snow removal using fire trucks and snow removal equipment.
Firstly, to strengthen the emergency call response system, including the AI-based 119 emergency call reception system, the number of reception desks will be increased at each emergency level, and a dedicated callback team will be operated to minimize missed 119 calls and promote rapid emergency and rescue operations.
Additionally, to strengthen disaster situation management according to attention, caution, alert, and serious stages, emergency situation rooms will be operated at the headquarters and 25 fire stations, and additional situation management personnel will be deployed upon weather warning issuance to manage disaster information seamlessly.
In conjunction with this, preventive patrols will be enhanced in concentrated vulnerable residential areas like shantytowns to detect cold-related patients early and provide quick emergency care. Emergency response teams and field support teams will be activated in advance during emergency situations such as weather warnings.
Moreover, ahead of cold waves and heavy snow, safety management of gas facilities in 1,344 locations, including vulnerable residential facilities and major excavation sites, will be inspected and safety hazards will be removed in advance.
In preparation for accidents like Han River freezing, ice rescue and underwater search training, as well as ice climbing and human rescue training for mountain accidents in heavy snow, will be conducted continuously to establish a rapid response posture for various winter disasters.
Furthermore, in the event of heavy snow warnings, a rapid snow removal response plan will be implemented by utilizing 5 types of snow removal equipment, totaling 5,178 units, and fire trucks to support district areas vulnerable to snow removal and secure fire truck paths simultaneously.
Hong Young-geun, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, “During the winter season when the risk of disasters increases, we will thoroughly prepare for various situations and do our utmost to enhance field response capabilities to protect the lives and safety of citizens,” and added, “We hope the citizens will actively participate in daily safety practices such as checking weather warnings and observing winter safety rules.”