Gapyeong County conducted large-scale disaster response training around Jaraseom Island. Gapyeong-gun (Governor Seo Tae-won) conducted the ‘2024 Disaster Response Safe Country Training’ on October 31 to strengthen disaster safety capabilities in the South Jaraseom Island and Bukhan River areas.
This training was conducted under the assumption of a complex disaster situation in which a water accident on an inland water guideway and large-scale water pollution occur simultaneously, and a total of 16 organizations and organizations, including the Gapyeong Fire Department, Gapyeong Police Station, and the Army’s 66th Division, participated. The training involved 219 personnel, 17 ships, and 1 helicopter, as well as 40 pieces of equipment.
Through this training, Gapyeong-gun established an organic cooperation system with 13 collaborating organizations and conducted various trainings aimed at improving situation dissemination, accident response, and recovery capabilities in the event of a disaster.
At the conclusion of the training, County Governor Seo Tae-won said, “I am grateful for the hard work of all institutions and organizations that participated in the training,” and added, “We will do our best to create a safe Gapyeong by solidifying the civil, public, and military cooperation system and continuously strengthening our ability to respond to actual combat.” “I will do my best,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Gapyeong Lions Club visited the Gapyeong-eup Administrative Welfare Center on October 31 and delivered 20 heating mats worth 4 million won.
This support is the third community sharing activity since Chairman Kang Un-ki took office in June of this year. The Lions Club previously donated 1,060 kg of white rice to Gapyeong-eup and provided volunteer work to improve the living environment of elderly households living alone that were damaged by fire. This time, in preparation for the cold wave, warm winter items were provided to the vulnerable.
Chairman Kang Un-ki said, “Ahead of the cold winter, we prepared the character with the hope that our neighbors in Gapyeong-eup will stay a little warmer,” and added, “We will continue various sharing activities in the future in line with the slogan ‘Creating a happy world together.’”
In response, Gapyeong-eup Mayor Kim Yong-ju said, “Following the donation of white rice last June, we would like to thank you again for donating your precious character for our neighbors.” He added, “The Administrative Welfare Center, in the spirit of the Gapyeong Lions Club, has provided heated mats for residents in welfare blind spots. He responded, “I will deliver it.”
Economy Queen Choi Hana reporter photo Gapyeong-gun
Interview: Enhancing Disaster Response Capabilities in Gapyeong County
Time.news Editor: Good day, everyone! Today, we have a special guest with us, Dr. Min-Jun Lee, a disaster management expert who has been instrumental in developing training programs for emergency response teams. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Lee.
Dr. Min-Jun Lee: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Time.news Editor: Recently, Gapyeong County conducted a significant disaster response training exercise around Jaraseom Island. Could you tell us what made this training unique?
Dr. Min-Jun Lee: Absolutely! What set this exercise apart was its focus on a complex disaster scenario. They simulated simultaneous water accidents and large-scale water pollution, which are challenging situations that require a coordinated response from multiple agencies. In this case, 16 organizations, including local police, fire departments, and even military units participated, which is quite a comprehensive effort.
Time.news Editor: That sounds extensive! What were some of the key components of the training?
Dr. Min-Jun Lee: The training involved over 200 personnel, 17 ships, and a helicopter, which indicates the scale of the operation. They not only focused on immediate response tactics but also on improving capabilities for situation dissemination, which is crucial for communicating information in real time during a disaster. Establishing an organic cooperation system with 13 collaborating organizations further enhances their preparedness.
Time.news Editor: Collaboration seems to be a central theme here. How essential is cooperation among different agencies during a disaster?
Dr. Min-Jun Lee: Cooperation is vital! Different agencies bring unique expertise and resources to the table. For example, the fire department may focus on search and rescue, while the police handle crowd control and security. When these entities work seamlessly together, they can respond more effectively and ensure the safety of the community. Training exercises like this one cultivate those relationships and improve communication pathways.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of community safety, Gapyeong County’s Governor Seo Tae-won emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment. How can such training lead to long-term safety for the residents?
Dr. Min-Jun Lee: When training exercises are conducted regularly, they build a culture of preparedness within the community. Residents become familiar with emergency procedures, and agencies become more adept at managing resources effectively. This fosters resilience, allowing communities to recover more swiftly from disasters. Governor Seo’s commitment to ongoing training suggests that they are serious about making safety a top priority.
Time.news Editor: What do you see as the next steps for Gapyeong County following this training?
Dr. Min-Jun Lee: Moving forward, it’s essential for them to use the insights gained from the exercise to refine their disaster response plans. Continuous evaluation and updates based on what they learned—such as lessons from communications or logistical challenges—will be critical. Furthermore, engaging the community in awareness and education programs can also significantly enhance their disaster resilience.
Time.news Editor: That is a valuable perspective. Lastly, Dr. Lee, what advice would you give to other regions looking to conduct similar disaster preparedness training?
Dr. Min-Jun Lee: My advice would be to focus on realistic scenarios that reflect potential local disasters. Engage a wide array of agencies and stakeholders, including local businesses and community organizations, in the planning process to ensure a comprehensive approach. And importantly, incorporate feedback after each exercise to continually improve your strategies.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lee, for sharing your insights with us today. It’s clear that proactive measures like the one taken by Gapyeong County not only strengthen disaster response but also foster a safer community.
Dr. Min-Jun Lee: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing these important issues.
Time.news Editor: And thank you to our audience for joining us. Stay safe and informed!