In Seoul, a large city with a dense population and extensive facilities, crowded buildings and accidents are frequent. Accordingly, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) expanded and reorganized the Seoul Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) in July 2023. Due to the revision of the Disaster Safety Act, local governments are now required to assess situations promptly and implement emergency measures. As a result, upgrading the SEOC is necessary.
We prepared an analysis item form and examined the status of emergency operations for 126 major accidents in Seoul from May to July 2024. We found that the density of accidents was highest in the border areas of the five autonomous districts, indicating that the SMG needs to direct its initial response effectively. Among these accidents, those related to infrastructure had longer management times, suggesting that stronger cooperation between related organizations is needed.
Based on this analysis, we constructed a basic process for emergency operation management. This process not only involves information identification but also emphasizes safety measures and appropriate responses. To enhance emergency operations, more detailed processes need to be investigated.
A further analysis was conducted based on the operational results of the mobile emergency operation center, which handled 708 accidents from April to July 2024. Emergency operation processes for decision-making can be derived based on the type of accidents, time zone, required time, propagation target, utilization information, and usage system.
The emergency processes consist of seven major elements and eight detailed elements. Processes related to on-site measures that require command or cooperation include on-site dispatch, management requests, evacuation of human lives, refugee management, police control, and damage assessment.
In a perception survey, workers in the SEOC rated an average of 4 or higher out of 5 points for the items that achieved results following the expansion and reorganization of the SEOC, which improved work efficiency. However, many expressed that there is room for improvement in situational command; the initial command authority of the SMG should be strengthened, and the information system needs to be upgraded due to a lack of scientific standards.
As a result of reviewing advanced cases, we were able to derive implications such as common recognition, rapid alerts, acquisition of multimedia real-time information, and advanced analysis.
After assessing the current situation, diagnosing issues, gathering opinions, and organizing case studies, we presented a model for improving the SEOC. This model envisions the advancement of disaster response through the rapid dissemination and action regarding the initial situation of a disaster. It outlines four strategies and a total of twelve initiatives. To summarize, the key aspects of these initiatives are to clarify the emergency operation command centered on overseeing the initial response, raise awareness of the roles of relevant actors, and aim to advance emergency operations based on an information strategy plan.