Fire Department Builds New Disaster Training Site to Enhance Rescue Communications and Logistics

(CNA, reporter Hsiao Po-yang, Nantou County, July 2nd) The Fire Department's Training Center has constructed a new disaster training site, focusing on training scenarios for electric vehicle, solar power equipment, and high-tech factory disasters. Additionally, 11 communication command vehicles and 4 logistics support vehicles were delivered today, enhancing on-site communications and providing rest and supplies for rescue personnel.

The National Fire Agency of the Ministry of the Interior held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new disaster rescue training site at its training center today, along with a delivery ceremony for subsidized logistics support vehicles and communication command vehicles. Vice Minister of the Interior Ma Shih-yuan, Fire Chief Hsiao Huan-chang, and executives from various county and city fire departments attended. The communication vehicles are equipped with advanced digital communication equipment and drones, while the logistics vehicles are equipped with showers, restrooms, charging stations, and provide food and water, allowing firefighters to rest and regroup at the disaster scene.

According to data from the Fire Department, the new rescue training site is expected to be completed in April 2027, with a construction cost of approximately NT$241.55 million. The four construction projects include a stairwell wiring training tower, a simulated vehicle accident training ground, green energy rescue facilities, and high-tech factory (warehouse) rescue facilities. There are a total of 4 logistics support vehicles, with full subsidies of NT$7.5 million per vehicle. There are 11 communication command vehicles in total, costing NT$945.99 million.

Facing new types of disasters such as electric vehicle fires, solar power equipment fires, lithium battery thermal runaway, and high-tech factory fires, Ma Shih-yuan stated that the central government will continue to systematically strengthen the nation's disaster prevention and response capabilities from the perspectives of training capacity, disaster response resilience, and firefighter occupational safety. The new training site will focus on training environments for new disasters such as electric vehicles, solar power equipment, and high-tech factories.

Ma Shih-yuan said that when large-scale disasters occur, uninterrupted communication is the most important foundation for commanding rescue operations. The central and local governments are jointly promoting the construction of new communication command vehicles. These vehicles have satellite communication, 5G image transmission, and multi-system integration capabilities. A total of 81 vehicles are expected to be deployed across Taiwan by the end of 2028. In addition, to strengthen logistics support and occupational safety for firefighters during prolonged rescue operations, the central government is establishing one logistics support vehicle in each of the four regions (North, Central, South, and East) in four counties and cities.

The Fire Department stated that the logistics support vehicles reference the rest area functions of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 1584, to meet the needs of rescue personnel for medical monitoring, replenishment of water, calories, and electrolytes, cooling, warming, and rest during prolonged rescue operations. The subsidized counties and cities are New Taipei City, Taichung City, Kaohsiung City, and Hualien County, and local governments are guided to cooperate with retailers to ensure stable supply of materials.

The Fire Department stated that the communication command vehicles can independently and quickly enter disaster areas to establish emergency command centers. They are equipped with various communication devices to rapidly establish communication systems at disaster scenes, achieving the connection and information exchange of various on-site communication systems. They can also communicate directly with the backend command system and on-site personnel in real-time through video or voice. Subsidies were provided to Kaohsiung City for 2 vehicles, Yunlin County for 3 vehicles, and Yilan County, Nantou County, Hualien County, Chiayi County, Pingtung County, and Lienchiang County for 1 vehicle each. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 0702115