Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin emphasized that "the safety and lives of citizens are the top priority" during an inspection of the city's disaster response system on October 22.
Mayor Shin made this statement after observing the "2026 Disaster Response Safety Training," which simulated a scenario involving a fire in the city hall's battery room and a simultaneous failure of the administrative information communication system.
During the event, he reinforced the importance of swift initial responses and cooperation among relevant agencies to protect citizens' lives and property.
More than 350 participants, including officials from the fire department, police, military, health centers, and hospitals, took part in the training.
This year's drill focused on enhancing response capabilities for complex disasters, particularly in light of the chaos caused by last year's fire at the National Information Resources Management Institute, which disrupted government computer networks.
At the training site, Mayor Shin observed the entire process from fire response to rescue operations and emphasized the need for collaboration and rapid initial responses among agencies.
The drill simulated various disaster scenarios, including uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery fires, electric vehicle fires, and failures of the administrative information communication system.
Participants practiced procedures for crisis situations, including communication of the situation, evacuation announcements, rescue operations, and using fire escape devices.
Additionally, they activated the disaster safety headquarters to confirm the roles of each agency and reviewed emergency measures to minimize service disruptions during disasters.
After the training, Mayor Shin honored the memory of firefighter Kim Jin-seok, who died while extinguishing a recent factory fire in Bucheon, expressing gratitude for the dedication of firefighters.
This training served as an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the citizen safety-centered administration that Mayor Shin has been advocating.
Notably, the drill highlighted the importance of a response system that encompasses not only recovery after a disaster but also initial responses and the maintenance of administrative functions, particularly in scenarios involving combined power and communication failures.
Citizens voiced their belief that disaster response training should translate into practical capabilities that protect lives and safety during actual crises. One citizen remarked, "I think quick evacuation guidance and rescue operations are necessary to prepare for complex disasters involving simultaneous fires and communication failures."
Mayor Shin stated, "Disasters can occur anytime and anywhere, so it is crucial to prepare thoroughly through regular, realistic training." He added, "We will continue to work closely with relevant agencies to protect the lives and property of our citizens."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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