Lee Jae-jin, speaker of the Gangnam-gu Council, visited Gangnam Fire Station on Thursday afternoon to receive a briefing from station chief Gang Dong-man on local disaster and safety issues and to strengthen coordination between field response agencies ahead of summer hazards such as heat waves and heavy rainfall.
During the visit, Lee attended a roundtable discussion and observed firefighters conducting live disaster-response drills, confirming the speed and systematic nature of their operations and offering words of encouragement. The two sides also exchanged views on the importance of preventive measures, not just post-incident response.
Gangnam-gu presents a uniquely complex safety environment, with large residential complexes, commercial and business districts, and the hagwon belt of Daechi-dong all coexisting within its boundaries — making tailored safety management that accounts for each area's distinct risk factors, as well as rapid on-site response, especially critical.
With prolonged heat waves and localized heavy downpours intensifying in recent years as a result of climate change, the meeting also covered routine safety management and field response protocols.
"Gangnam-gu is home not only to residential areas but also to a dense concentration of high-occupancy facilities, meaning disasters can take many forms and the scale of damage when an incident occurs can be significant," Lee said. He urged fire department personnel to go beyond responding after the fact and instead identify risk factors on the ground in advance and take preemptive action.
"As climate-related disasters such as heat waves and heavy rain grow more severe, the role of firefighters on the front lines becomes ever more important," he added.
Lee also heard from station officials about difficulties in the field — including complaints about excessive heat inside ambulances during patient transport and a shortage of hydraulic equipment — and made an urgent request to the district's disaster safety division for the prompt supply of portable vehicle air conditioners and hydraulic tools to address those needs.
The Gangnam-gu Council said it will continue to listen to voices from the field and act swiftly to protect the safety and lives of residents through active legislative work.
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