Taiwan to mark Disaster Prevention Day with drills

STAYING READY: The exercises would test the nation’s key disaster response capabilities and the government’s ability to control its emergency response assets efficiently

• By Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNA

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A large-scale earthquake drill in eastern Taiwan, nationwide emergency alarm tests and the mobilization of more than 176,000 civilian disaster responders are among the activities scheduled for National Disaster Prevention Day, with the government yesterday launching the annual campaign.

The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Education announced the disaster response exercises at an event in New Taipei City to promote public preparedness for national emergencies.

On Sept. 21, emergency broadcast systems, as well as earthquake, tsunami and air raid sirens, are to be tested, a spokesperson told the event.

Officials launch a series of National Disaster Prevention Day events during a news conference at the Huwei Disaster Prevention Promotion Hall in New Taipei City yesterday.

Photo courtesy of the Ministry of the Interior

Broadcasts to mobile phones, television and radio would also be tested, as they could become the only source of accurate information for the public during a crisis, the spokesperson said.

The tsunami siren would be sounded twice in five-second alerts, with a five-second interval before a recorded message ordering an evacuation is played, they said.

First responders are to be mobilized from Wednesday to Friday next week to conduct simulated search and rescue operations, and establish mock mass-casualty medical aid stations, they said, adding that foreign groups would participate in the drills.

The exercises would test key capabilities, as well as the government’s ability to control its emergency response assets efficiently, the spokesperson said.

The Ministry of the Interior has helped establish 275 Taiwan Community Emergency Response Teams, comprising 5,000 volunteer first responders and 176,000 certified disaster relief volunteers, including security guards, drivers and other people with critical skills, they said.

The public is urged to download the Readiness TW e-APP on their mobile devices, and prepare three days of supplies and go-bags in every household, the spokesperson said.

Taiwan’s disaster response capabilities have come a long way since the devastating Jiji earthquake on Sept. 21, 1999, the date on which National Disaster Prevention Day is held, Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) said.

The interior ministry’s goal is to have a force of 200,000 certified disaster relief volunteers by the end of the year, Liu said.

The certified disaster relief volunteer concept revolves around training people who already work in communities, enterprises, schools and large buildings using their first aid and other skills to protect others, she added.