Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee emphasized the increasing importance of civil defense leaders in ensuring community safety as various disasters and emergencies become more diverse.
During the '2026 Local Civil Defense Leader Training' held on September 3 at the Gunpo Veterans Hall, Mayor Han addressed over 320 local civil defense leaders.
He is actively working to enhance the disaster response capabilities of these leaders, who operate closest to citizens, and to strengthen safety policies that prioritize citizen safety.
This training was designed to improve the initial response capabilities and on-site command skills of leaders who must direct and manage local civil defense teams during emergencies.
The program included theoretical education on relevant laws such as the Civil Defense Basic Act and the role of civil defense leaders, along with practical training on the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), CPR, and first aid.
Particularly, this training focused on enabling local leaders, who are well-acquainted with community circumstances and communicate closely with residents, to serve as effective safety leaders amid unpredictable disaster types and occurrences due to recent climate changes and social disasters.
Mayor Han noted the importance of not only responding to disasters after they occur but also establishing a safety network that can proactively identify risks and respond swiftly to crises within the community. He plans to continue enhancing the effectiveness of civil defense training and to strengthen on-site response education.
He expressed hope that through this training, local civil defense leaders would be able to quickly evacuate residents and take necessary initial actions during emergencies, fulfilling their role as 'frontline leaders of community safety.'
Residents have also voiced the need for a disaster response system that operates effectively in their daily lives. One citizen remarked, 'In the event of a disaster, the first people who can help are often those nearby. If our local leaders learn CPR and how to use AEDs, residents will feel much safer in emergencies.'
Another citizen added, 'Disasters can happen anytime and anywhere, so regular training and education are crucial. I hope policies continue to develop safety personnel who can work alongside residents in our neighborhoods, not just rely on administrative responses.'
Mayor Han urged, 'I ask that we continue to work together with local residents to create a safe Gunpo that protects the precious lives and property of our citizens.'
He further stated, 'Gunpo City will continue to strengthen its on-site disaster response system and build a robust local safety network to ensure that citizens can live without worry.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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