Taichung City Fire Department Visits Kitakyushu, Japan to Exchange Disaster Prevention Experience

By Central News Agency reporter Su Mu-Chun, Taichung, June 16

The Taichung City Fire Department recently visited the Kitakyushu Fire Department in Japan to exchange knowledge and strengthen disaster prevention and rescue capabilities. The Taichung Fire Department stated that, in addition to learning about Japan's fire service operations, it aims to establish a channel for ongoing collaboration to jointly enhance urban disaster resilience.

The Taichung City Fire Department released a press statement today, announcing that Fire Chief Sun Fu-You led a delegation to visit the Kitakyushu Fire Department. In-depth discussions were held on topics including fire safety outreach for aging societies, fire safety inspection systems, and 119 emergency dispatch mechanisms.

Chief Sun emphasized that firefighting is not only about post-disaster rescue but also places great importance on daily risk prevention and safety management. This exchange allowed the team to understand Japan's fire service operations while also aiming to establish a sustainable cooperation framework to jointly improve urban disaster preparedness.

Sun noted that the visit included the headquarters of the Kitakyushu Fire Department, the 119 Command Center, and Kokura Kita Fire Station. Both sides exchanged views on high-risk facility management, fire prevention outreach strategies, fire safety inspection systems, and major disaster response mechanisms. The delegation also observed on-site how Japan manages command dispatch, communication backup systems, and personnel recall procedures during disasters, gaining a comprehensive understanding of their practical operations.

The fire department explained that Taiwan and Japan face similar challenges, including population aging, the widespread use of emerging technology products, and the increasing number of large-scale mixed-use buildings, making fire safety management increasingly critical. The Kitakyushu Fire Department has extensive practical experience in fire prevention administration, digital transformation applications, and disaster response systems, offering valuable insights for reference.

The department stated that it will continue to draw on practical experiences from domestic and international fire agencies, integrating them with Taichung's local characteristics to refine fire safety management systems and disaster response measures, aiming to build a safer, more livable, and resilient urban environment. (Edited by Chang Ming-Kun) 1150616