Today (27th), Deputy Director-General Andreas Hofem, Deputy Team Leader Tracy Chang, and Peter Mayer from the German Institute Taipei paid a visit to the Fire Bureau, Taichung City Government. Their purpose was to observe the operational procedures and preparations related to the Taichung Emergency Operations Center and the 119 Disaster Relief and Rescue Command Center. Led by Yang Chun-kai, a senior technical specialist at the Fire Bureau, along with colleagues from the Disaster Management Section, this visit aimed to establish emergency communication channels for accessing accurate disaster information and providing timely assistance during emergencies.

The Fire Bureau noted that Taichung, situated in Central Taiwan, encompasses a large area but faces potential threats from a variety of natural and man-made disasters. The Emergency Operations Center and the 119 Disaster Relief and Rescue Command Center serve as two pivotal hubs for managing and reporting disasters. The main task of the Taichung Emergency Operations Center is to swiftly gather information on disasters across the city during major incidents. It operates by dividing into groups based on functions, consolidating response efforts into 6 major groups and 16 functional subgroups. Coordinating resources from various disaster prevention and rescue agencies, analyzing disasters, and devising response strategies aid the mayor in decision-making to minimize response time, ensuring the safety of lives and properties.

The Fire Bureau added that the German Institute Taipei also visited the Disaster Relief and Rescue Command Center of the Fire Bureau, Taichung City Government. This center primarily handles tasks such as receiving reports, directing and dispatching rescue personnel and vehicles, coordinating communication, and requesting support. With advancements in communication networks, the 119 dispatch system now utilizes GPS positioning for more accurate and faster location tracking of reported incidents. Sending photos to the command center is also helpful for identifying locations. For foreigners needing to report an incident, besides confirming their location using GPS text messages, they can also dial the hotline 1990 for three-way calling to help the personnel understand the details of their report and request assistance.

The Fire Bureau noted that the interaction with the German Institute Taipei during the visit was vibrant. Both parties exchanged valuable knowledge and experiences in disaster prevention and rescue, enhancing their communication channels and fostering possibilities for future exchanges or collaborations.