Dongducheon City Strengthens Heatwave Response System ... Immediate Re-activation During Advisories

Dongducheon City Deploys Thorough Summer Safety Measures
From Heatwaves to Water Play, Emergency Response Continues Until September 30

Comprehensive Protection for Vulnerable Groups Remains a Priority
Emergency Response System Maintained Through September Across the City

Full Survey Conducted at 34 River and Valley Sites
Voluntary Removal of 38 Illegal Facilities Achieved

Proactive Readiness Against Typhoons and Sudden Heavy Rain
Step-by-Step Emergency Work Protocols Fully Overhauled

This summer, as record-breaking heatwaves and tropical nights persisted for an extended period, Dongducheon City in Gyeonggi Province undertook comprehensive safety management efforts focused on citizens' everyday lives. The city expanded its management scope to include not only heatwave response and protection of vulnerable groups, but also safety for outdoor workers, maintenance of rivers and valleys, and inspections of children's play facilities.

Moving beyond simple weather monitoring, the city prioritized on-site inspections to identify and address risk factors directly. It extended the operation hours of cooling shelters and checked in on the wellbeing of seniors living alone; special attention was also paid to outdoor workplaces, agricultural and livestock sites, rivers and valleys, and children’s water parks.

Departments in charge of safety, welfare, health, roads, and the environment, together with the police, fire department, and other relevant agencies, divided roles to jointly respond to multiplex summer disasters including heatwaves, typhoons, and heavy rain. The city plans to maintain its emergency response system until September 30, when the heatwave response period ends, and will continue to devote all possible resources to summer safety management until then.

Summer Natural Disaster Preparedness Coordination Meeting with Related Agencies (left) and On-site Inspection of Publicly Ordered Construction Sites for Heatwave Preparedness. Provided by Dongducheon City

Disaster Safety Headquarters Immediately Activated for Severe Heatwave Warnings

Dongducheon City has overhauled its crisis management action manual to align with the updated Korea Meteorological Administration advisory guidelines, strengthening its step-by-step emergency work protocols to increase the response level according to the severity of the situation.

The new manual incorporates criteria for issuing a “Severe Heatwave Warning”—activated when the daily maximum apparent temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius or higher, or the daily maximum temperature is 39 degrees Celsius or higher for consecutive days. It also reflects the issuance of a “Tropical Night Advisory” when the nighttime lowest temperature remains at 25 degrees Celsius or above.

If a heatwave warning persists for seven or more days, the task force (TF) continues its emergency shifts even during holidays. If a severe heatwave warning is issued, a situation assessment meeting is held immediately, and the disaster safety headquarters— the highest level of response—is promptly activated, with detailed procedures now specified. These measures are designed to ensure a seamless response throughout prolonged periods of heatwave and tropical nights, regardless of whether it is a weekday or a holiday.

The city also established 13 collaborative on-site response teams, each led by the mayor as the general director. Each team is responsible for different areas, including situation management, emergency livelihood support, facility emergency recovery, and medical and quarantine activities. Continuous emergency communication systems have been put in place with local police and fire stations, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, and Korea Electrical Safety Corporation.

Although the task force's emergency shifts ended on August 10, 2026, when the heatwave advisory was lifted, the response system itself remains intact. The city will continue monitoring weather conditions until the end of the heatwave response period on September 30 and will immediately reestablish emergency operations if any heatwave warnings are reissued.

Installation of cooling fog at the Eoullim Center (left) and comprehensive inspection and operation of heat shelters to prepare for summer heatwaves. Provided by Dongducheon City

Expansion of Cooling Fogs and Smart Shade Structures ... 24-Hour Operation of Cooling Shelters

Heatwave countermeasures have extended to everyday infrastructure that citizens can feel in their daily lives.

During the first half of this year, the city invested about 430 million won to install cooling fog systems at high-traffic locations used by citizens, including the Dongducheon Eoullim Center, the Multipurpose Cultural Community Center, Metasequoia Road, and Riverside Neighborhood Park.

Seven fixed shade structures were installed in the areas of Sangpae-dong, Saengyeon-dong, and Jihaeng-dong. In key locations such as the Citizen Peace Neighborhood Park, nine additional smart shade structures that operate automatically in response to weather conditions were installed, bringing the total number of city-installed heatwave mitigation facilities to 21.

Seventy-nine facilities used by specific groups, such as senior centers and public offices, have been operated as cooling shelters. When heatwave advisories were in effect, some of these shelters stayed open until 9 PM. The city’s general security office, the duty room, and smart shelters were open 24 hours a day even during tropical nights. In addition, the Multipurpose Community Center, city library, and smart bus stops were also designated as cooling shelters.

Heatwave response guidance was provided through the city's 568 CCTV emergency call bells. At 11 AM and 3 PM daily, citizens were reminded to refrain from outdoor activity and ensure sufficient water intake. Large water spray trucks were deployed on major roads to lower radiant heat from the pavement.

Intensive welfare checks for elderly vulnerable to heat waves (left) and on-site inspection of heat illness prevention for frontline workers responding to the heat wave. Provided by Dongducheon City

Well-being Checks for the Elderly Living Alone ... On-site Inspections of Outdoor Workplaces

On-site response measures to protect citizens vulnerable to heatwaves were also reinforced.

The city formed “disaster relief teams” composed of home health care workers, customized welfare aides for the elderly, nurses, social workers, community leaders, and members of the local civil disaster response group. When a heatwave advisory is issued, a unified emergency broadcasting system is used to rapidly notify relevant personnel and commence protective activities.

For seniors living alone and citizens with mobility challenges, welfare teams call directly to check their wellbeing, and visit their homes if necessary to assess their health. In Saengyeon 1-dong’s Administrative Welfare Center, a nighttime cooling shelter was operated and essential supplies were provided to help residents cope with nighttime tropical heat.

Outdoor workplaces were also inspected to ensure worker safety. In July, eight departments jointly inspected 13 frontline public worksites to assess heatwave response on-site. In August, the vice mayor visited publicly commissioned construction sites to check compliance with basic heat safety practices such as providing water, shade, and rest. Checks were also made on whether work schedules were adjusted during peak heat hours, as well as the provisioning of cooling and rest facilities and bottled water.

Efforts were also made to prevent damage in agriculture and livestock sectors. Heatwave safety guidelines were broadcast to farmers in their villages, and livestock situation rooms have operated since late July. Pig farms received support for the installation of insulation in piggeries, and poultry farms were provided with heat stress relief agents. Contingency systems are in place to provide emergency water supply to livestock farms in case of an emergency.

Inspection of Illegal Facilities from Tapdong Valley to Wangbang Valley (left) and TF Team Meeting for Inspection and Management of Illegal Facilities in River Valleys. Provided by Dongducheon City

Survey of 34 River and Valley Sites ... Voluntary Removal of 38 Illegal Facilities

For rivers and valleys crowded with summer vacationers, a phased approach was taken that included comprehensive surveys, encouraging voluntary removal of illegal structures, administrative action, and on-site enforcement.

Since March, the city has conducted a full survey of unauthorized structures occupying 34 rivers and valleys within the jurisdiction, including Dongducheoncheon, Soemokcheon, Jangrimcheon, and Sincheon.

Field investigations by the river team and the safety prevention team identified 106 violators and 154 violations as of May 2026. Offending structures included temporary buildings, decks, platforms, shade tents, as well as illegally cultivated farmland and unauthorized storage areas.

Instead of immediately imposing administrative sanctions, the city encouraged voluntary compliance first. From May 26 to June 30, a period was designated for the voluntary reporting and removal of illegal structures within river areas, resulting in 38 illegal facilities being dismantled. For facilities that remained unaddressed, stage-by-stage administrative actions such as restoration orders and the imposition of compensation charges are being implemented.

In August, when vacation crowds peak, a special joint enforcement team—composed of staff from the general safety, environmental sanitation, and building departments—was mobilized. The team focused on 10 key businesses, checking for issues such as unauthorized reservation fees, illegal installation of platforms and parasols, unlicensed food businesses, and food preparation along the riverbanks.

During weekdays, six River Valley Guardians patrol the area, while joint enforcement is conducted during peak hours on weekends and holidays. On July 29, the vice mayor and inspectors visited Tapdong Valley and Wangbang Valley to check on the removal status of illegal facilities and overall safety management.

The city will take actions such as restoration orders, compensation charges, and compulsory administrative execution measures in accordance with relevant laws if any violations remain unaddressed.

Soyosan Children's Water Playground (left) and summer season food poisoning prevention promotion. Provided by Dongducheon City

Children’s Water Playground Water Replaced Daily

At the Soyo Mountain Children’s Water Playground, safety and hygiene management measures were enforced from before the opening to the end of operations.

From June 19 to August 17, the city operated the water park with a general manager and two safety personnel on-site at all times. Efforts were made to prevent accidents, conduct facility inspections, and to replace all tap water used in the water playground once a day. Regular water quality testing was also performed.

Before opening, children’s water play equipment was inspected and drainage pipes were replaced while rubber finishes were installed in facility joints. All equipment was cleaned and disinfected as well.

The city also prepared for typhoons and localized heavy rain, strengthening the monitoring of disaster-prone areas, landslide risk areas, underground roadways, and drainage pumping stations. Inspections and promotion of food poisoning prevention were also carried out at restaurants near multi-use facilities and vacation spots.

Comprehensive Safety Management in Dongducheon During Summer. Provided by Dongducheon City

"Lifting the Advisory Does Not Mean Safety Management Is Over"

Dongducheon City’s safety measures this summer extended beyond simply maintaining emergency shifts during heatwave advisories. The city expanded access to cooling shelters and heat mitigation facilities in living spaces, directly reached out to at-risk citizens, and conducted on-site inspections of areas with potential risks.

The city checked on the wellbeing of vulnerable people such as seniors living alone, inspected outdoor workplaces and livestock facilities, surveyed 34 rivers and valleys resulting in the voluntary removal of 38 illegal structures, and monitored the hygiene conditions of children’s water playgrounds and restaurants near flood-prone and vacation areas.

Although the temperature has eased, summer safety management continues. The city will keep monitoring weather conditions and at-risk areas until September 30, continue enforcement in rivers and valleys and follow-up management of water play sites, and maintain typhoon and sudden torrential rain countermeasures. Should any new risk factors emerge, the response system will be activated immediately.

Dongducheon Mayor Park Hyeongdeok commented, “Amid this unprecedented heatwave, we focused on safety management in citizens’ daily lives, ranging from checking in on vulnerable groups, to inspections of outdoor workplaces, rivers, valleys, and water play facilities. The lifting of the heatwave advisory does not mean that summer safety management is over.”

He added, “Even during the remaining response period, we will adapt swiftly to weather changes such as typhoons and sudden heavy rain. We will continue to carefully monitor the field and do our utmost until the end to ensure that citizens can safely finish out the summer.”

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