Taiwan launches disaster relief training in Taichung

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of the Interior's (MOI, 內政部) National Fire Agency (NFA, 消防署) and the Substitute Service Training and Management Center (替代役訓練及管理中心) launched the first Disaster Relief Volunteer (防災士) training session of 2025 in Taichung on Monday (Feb. 24).

Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) stressed that disaster prevention and relief work is endless. She believes that training substitute military service (替代役) across Taiwan will effectively strengthen the nation's disaster prevention capabilities and promote the concepts of self-help and mutual assistance.

 

Liu emphasized the program aims to enhance disaster response skills among substitute military service through this initiative.

Also, Liu explained that the ministry has trained 41,564 disaster relief volunteers by Jan. 31, 2025. They plan to subsidize the training of 7,000 more individuals this year, expanding the program to include taxi drivers, high-rise building management committees, security personnel, and substitute military service.

 

Minister Liu mentioned recent news about a passenger in their 60s who fell unconscious on a bus, emphasizing the importance of immediate emergency response. She pointed out that timely first aid could improve survival rates, proving the significance of promoting self-help and mutual assistance through disaster relief volunteers.

Moreover, Liu added that the ministry has completed disaster prevention training at the Joint Central Government Office Building (中央聯合辦公大樓) last year. Liu said they have extended this training to essential government institutions, including the Legislative Yuan (立法院), the Examination Yuan (考試院), the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部), the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC,交通部), Taiwan Power Company (台灣電力公司), and Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信).