Gangjin-gun conducted the 2024 disaster response safe country training. On the 31st of last month, Gangjin-gun came out to strengthen the community’s disaster response capacity through the ‘2024 Disaster Response Safe Nation Training’.
The disaster response training was conducted with the main purpose of evacuation of residents and life-saving activities, assuming river flooding and bridge damage due to heavy rain, and the entire process from on-site management to recovery was conducted in cooperation with Gangjin-gun, related organizations, and private organizations.
This training, in which 11 related organizations and private organizations, including the Gangjin Police Station, Gangjin Fire Department, and the 2nd Battalion of Army Unit 8539, participated, was conducted simultaneously at the Gangjin-gun Disaster Comprehensive Situation Room and the stone bridge berm of Gundong-myeon, and included a disaster response situation judgment meeting, establishment of an on-site emergency medical center, and emergency management. Assuming an actual disaster situation, such as rescue, disaster management, and recovery, the focus was on inspecting Gangjin-gun’s rapid initial response and cooperation system and strengthening residents’ response abilities.
In particular, it was designed to further increase the capacity to prepare for storm and flood damage based on the experience of Gangjin-gun being designated as a special disaster area due to heavy damage from torrential rain in September 2021 and this year.
In addition, training to respond to emergency situations through unexpected messages and various response activities to improve the public’s disaster response capabilities were carried out, and safety education and campaigns for residents were also carried out.
Governor Kang Jin-won, head of the Gangjin-gun Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, “Through this training, we will further systematize Gangjin-gun’s disaster response capabilities and contribute to creating a safety environment where residents can feel at ease.” “We will establish a practical response system based on close cooperation with relevant organizations,” he said.
The military plans to continue to take the lead in protecting the lives and disasters of residents and building a safe community through continuous disaster preparedness training and education.
Meanwhile, while Gangjin-gun’s Dancing Reed Festival continues to enjoy high popularity with many tourists visiting even on weekdays, the ‘Visiting Agricultural Specialties Direct Market’ operated within the event venue exceeded the total sales of last year’s festival within 5 days of the start of the festival, demonstrating the excellence of Gangjin’s agricultural specialties. It is proving.
The Gangjin Bay Dancing Reed Festival, now in its 9th year, is a festival representing Gangjin-gun and presents various contents, including Gangjin-gun’s excellent agricultural specialties as well as specialized programs and experiences for children, contributing to revitalizing the local economy.
Among the festival booths, the direct trading market for agricultural specialties is hosted by the Gangjin-gun Agricultural and Fishery Specialty Products Direct Transaction Business Group, with 18 out of 24 member companies participating, showcasing a total of 62 types of items, including rice, mixed grains, fresh shiitake mushrooms, and rice cakes. As of the 30th, the fifth day of the festival, sales of agricultural specialty products amounted to 27.052 million won, easily exceeding the total sales of last year’s Reed Festival, which was 24.834 million won.
This year, the direct market received a great response by providing a unique experience to visitors through various additional events such as a free gift event of 600g of black rice to customers who purchase more than 20,000 won, a 10-second stopwatch match event, and free tasting and sampling events.
Ahead of this festival, Gangjin-gun recruited new members for the ‘Gangjin-gun Agricultural and Fishery Specialty Products Direct Trade Business Group’ targeting farmers, fishermen and related companies in Gangjin-gun to promote direct trading of agricultural and marine products.
Through this, 4 new companies joined the direct transaction business group, expanding the number to 24 companies in total, and 3 of the new companies are participating in the Reed Festival direct transaction market event and are increasing sales. It is expected that the direct transaction market will greatly contribute to expanding sales channels for agricultural specialty products and increasing the income of farmers and fishermen in Gangjin-gun.
In particular, this festival has the added benefit of ‘half-price tours’ run by Gangjin-gun, which brings in many tourists from various regions, giving a great boost to direct market sales, and also contributes to the influx of living population and revitalization of the local economy through the festival. The assessment is that a positive example is being created.
Gangjin County Governor Kang Jin-won said, “The Gangjin Bay Dancing Reed Festival promotes Gangjin to tourists, serves as a strong driving force for revitalizing the local economy for residents, and brings positive results to everyone.” He added, “Gangjin’s excellent agricultural specialties will become more widely known nationwide.” “We will continue to promote various events to make this happen,” he said.
In addition to the half-price travel benefits that were introduced for the first time this year, the county is holding various festivals and events, and has been promoting leading policies to increase the ‘living population’ through the influx of tourists and achieve the economic effect of increasing the actual population, as well as other local governments. , is also receiving attention from the central government. The Gangjin Bay Dancing Reed Festival continues until November 3.
Economy Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo: Gangjin-gun
Time.news Interview: Strengthening Disaster Preparedness in Gangjin
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Yi Jin-soo, a disaster management expert, to discuss the recent “2024 Disaster Response Safe Nation Training” conducted by Gangjin-gun. Dr. Yi, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Yi Jin-soo: Thank you for having me! It’s great to see an increasing focus on disaster preparedness and community resilience.
Editor: Absolutely! The training aimed to enhance disaster response capabilities in case of river flooding and bridge damage. Why is this training so crucial for a region like Gangjin, particularly after experiencing significant disasters in the past?
Dr. Yi: Gangjin-gun has faced critical disasters, notably the torrential rains that made it a special disaster area. Training like this not only prepares the local authorities but also empowers residents. By simulating real-life scenarios, they can better understand the importance of timely evacuations and life-saving measures. It builds muscle memory, so to speak.
Editor: That makes perfect sense. It’s remarkable that 11 organizations, including military and emergency services, participated in this training. How important is inter-agency collaboration in such scenarios?
Dr. Yi: Collaboration is vital. Each organization brings its expertise, whether it’s the police handling law enforcement or the fire department focusing on emergency response. A seamless cooperation system ensures that resources are utilized effectively and that communication remains clear during critical moments. If one agency falters, the entire response can be compromised.
Editor: During the training, participants practiced setting up an emergency medical center. Can you tell us more about the significance of this?
Dr. Yi: Establishing an emergency medical center on-site is crucial for immediate response. In the aftermath of a disaster, medical emergencies often surge. By practicing this setup, responders can reduce wait times and provide critical care more efficiently. It also reinforces the importance of triage—prioritizing patients based on the severity of their conditions.
Editor: Safety education and campaigns for residents were also part of the training. How can community engagement enhance disaster preparedness?
Dr. Yi: Community engagement is key. When residents are informed and prepared, the collective response to a disaster improves significantly. Programs that educate people on evacuation routes, the importance of emergency kits, and situational awareness can save lives. When residents understand their roles, they tend to react more decisively, reducing chaos during actual emergencies.
Editor: I understand that this year’s training was enhanced based on past experiences. How can learning from previous disasters shape future preparedness strategies?
Dr. Yi: Learning from past experiences ensures that agencies do not repeat the same mistakes. After every disaster, it’s essential to conduct a thorough analysis of what went wrong, what worked, and what could be improved. This iterative process transforms painful lessons into actionable strategies for future incidents, making communities more resilient over time.
Editor: Before we wrap up, let’s touch briefly on the Gangjin Bay Dancing Reed Festival. With its growing popularity, how can such community events contribute to preparedness and resilience?
Dr. Yi: Community events like the Dancing Reed Festival bolster local economies, which is vital for recovery from disasters. They also foster community spirit. When people gather and form connections, they nurture a network that can be invaluable during crises. Engaged communities tend to be more resilient because they look out for each other.
Editor: That’s a wonderful perspective, Dr. Yi. Thanks for sharing your insights on the critical importance of disaster preparedness and community engagement in Gangjin. Do you have any parting thoughts for our listeners?
Dr. Yi: I think it’s essential for all communities to prioritize disaster preparedness, not just those that have faced disasters before. The more proactive we are, the more lives we can save. Awareness and training can turn potential tragedies into manageable situations.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Yi, for your valuable time and expertise. We appreciate your insights, and we hope to see continuous advancements in disaster preparedness in Gangjin and beyond.
Dr. Yi: Thank you! It’s a pleasure to be part of this conversation.