In light of the fire alarm at a long-term care center in Longtan Dist., Taoyuan midnight yesterday (10th) killing four, the Taichung City Government took precautions in order to avoid the same tragedy. Today (11th) at 1500 hrs, the Fire Bureau eighth corps Dongshan branch arrived at the Yonghchun Long-term Care Center for the Elderly situated on 1st sec., Dongshan Rd., Beitun District of the city to demonstrate self-defense fire-fighting team drills and verification.
The current accommodation of Yonghchun Long-term Care Center for the Elderly is 42 people (with 8 confined to bed, 33 in a wheelchair and one capable of self-evacuation). Today, the self-defense firefighting team simulated the origin of the fire in the kitchen, with the arranged situation of everyone on the scene smelling heavy burning. After confirming flame and smoke coming from the kitchen, the site immediately activated the firefighting team, drilling items included internal and external notification, initial fire extinguishing, escape guidance (horizontal and vertical), safety precautions (power off and gas shut down) and preliminary medical care for the injured.
A review meeting was called immediately following the drill, and the best evacuation procedure was discussed by the Fire Bureau eighth corps Dongshan branch with the center management in hopes of reducing casualties when a fire occurs.