Interior Minister Joins Disaster Drill as Alternative Conscripts Bolster National Response

Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang announced at a press conference today that she will personally participate in professional training for disaster prevention personnel this December, leading by example to promote the upgrading of the national disaster prevention system. Minister Liu pointed out that disaster prevention personnel are grassroots disaster relief professionals established under the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act, equipped with basic skills in disaster early warning, emergency response, and recovery. She emphasized that only through a joint effort between the government and the public, combining professional expertise with voluntary service, can society's overall resilience be enhanced in the face of frequent natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and torrential rains. This training serves not only as a personal demonstration but also conveys the message to administrative agencies at all levels nationwide that disaster prevention is more than just a slogan.

According to the upcoming amendment to the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act, alternative service personnel will be stationed permanently in every township, city, and district office in the future, forming the foundational force of "disaster prevention coordination centers." Alternative service is a component of Taiwan's military service system, applicable to young men who are unsuited for regular military service due to physical or other reasons, allowing them to contribute to the country through social service. Minister Liu explained that these alternative service personnel will participate in disaster prevention drills and patrols during normal times to familiarize themselves with various response procedures. When a disaster occurs, they will assist in executing evacuation, sheltering and resettlement, and logistical support tasks, ensuring that disaster victims receive safety and essential living supplies in the shortest possible time.

The background and necessity of this move can be traced back to lessons learned from several major past disasters. The September 21 earthquake in 1999, as well as the torrential rains and floods in northern and central Taiwan in 2021, all exposed bottlenecks in resource allocation and information transmission within local administrative units. Many affected residents fell into difficulties due to unclear evacuation routes and insufficient information regarding shelters. Consequently, the government has continuously reviewed its disaster prevention system and promoted "community disaster prevention" and "neighborhood watch" programs in recent years, though a shortage of fixed, professionally trained full-time personnel still remains. Incorporating alternative service personnel into district office disaster response teams will bridge the manpower gap and establish a complete three-stage support chain before, during, and after disasters.

In addition, Minister Liu explained that the relevant training will integrate the Ministry of National Defense, the National Fire Agency, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and local police agencies through cross-departmental simulation drills to enhance the practical operational capabilities of alternative service personnel. The curriculum includes disaster risk assessment, emergency communications, medical first aid, supplies management, and psychological comfort, ensuring they can react swiftly under various disaster scenarios. In the future, targeted drills will also be held annually based on local characteristics—such as typhoon protection in coastal areas and debris flow alerts in mountainous regions—allowing alternative service personnel to become familiar with local disaster characteristics and improve their response efficiency in practice.

Beyond enhancing disaster prevention professionalism, Minister Liu's declaration also aims to strengthen civic participation awareness. She pointed out that disaster prevention should not be merely the unilateral responsibility of the government; self-rescue and mutual rescue among citizens are equally crucial. Through the regular stationing of alternative service personnel, district offices will be able to more proactively promote disaster prevention knowledge to communities, hold disaster prevention lectures and drills, and foster a culture of neighborhood mutual aid. In the long run, embedding disaster prevention resources and manpower at the grassroots level will help reduce disaster losses, shorten recovery times, and further enhance Taiwan's overall resilience and sense of security.