Gapyeong County Extends Water Safety Personnel Deployment Through September

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Gapyeong County (County Governor Seo Tae-won) has decided to extend the deployment of water safety personnel by one month compared to previous years, operating through September 30, to prevent safety accidents in valleys and streams.

According to the county, despite passing the seasonal turning point of Cheosu, continued late-summer heat has maintained steady visitor traffic to valleys and streams for water activities.

In response, Gapyeong County Office, Gapyeong Fire Department, and Gapyeong Police Department have jointly formed a "Water Safety Management Task Force (TF) Team" to preemptively prevent recurring water safety accidents, and have decided to extend the safety personnel deployment period in accordance with Ministry of Interior and Safety guidelines.

With the extended operation of safety personnel, free life jacket rental services at major water activity areas within the county will also operate through September, with safety personnel conducting on-site patrols, hazard advisories, emergency response, and overall safety management duties to ensure visitor safety.

Vice County Governor Kim Mi-sung stated, "Water accidents are fatal to individuals and their families and have negative impacts on tourism image and the local economy," and urged "all visitors to wear life jackets without fail and cooperate with safety personnel guidance to prevent accidents."