Interior Ministry Clarifies Disaster Safety Personnel Expansion Is Strictly for Civil Defense

In recent years, as global climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of natural disasters caused by extreme weather have continued to rise. Taiwan faces persistent threats from earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy rains, prompting a fundamental shift in disaster prevention and relief strategies. The approach has evolved from unidirectional government rescue operations to a comprehensive strategy emphasizing "whole-of-society participation" and the construction of a "resilient society." The Ministry of the Interior previously launched the Disaster Prevention Officer training program, aiming to cultivate civilian personnel with basic skills in first aid, disaster response, and incident reporting, grounded in the core philosophy of community-based autonomous disaster prevention and relief. However, as related policies were advanced and target numbers for participants were set, diverse interpretations and discussions emerged in society. Some public opinion has expressed doubts about the positioning of Disaster Prevention Officers, raising concerns that the training might carry underlying military or defensive connotations.

In response to public attention and concerns regarding the expansion targets for the number of Disaster Prevention Officers, the Fire Bureau of the Ministry of the Interior issued a formal press release in the evening to clarify the matter. The Fire Bureau emphasized that the core objective of establishing and promoting the Disaster Prevention Officer system has always been to enhance the public’s disaster prevention and relief knowledge and practical response capabilities. It explicitly stated that there are no plans or considerations to transform these individuals into militia, as some have speculated. The competent authority noted that in modern society, when facing large-scale, complex disasters, frontline government rescue personnel often face overwhelming strain during the critical "golden hour" of rescue. If Disaster Prevention Officers with basic disaster prevention, relief, and mutual aid capabilities are widely established in communities, schools, and enterprises, they can play a crucial buffering and support role in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

From the perspective of laws and institutional frameworks, the Fire Bureau clarified that upon completing the training and obtaining certification as a Disaster Prevention Officer, individuals are not subject to any mandatory legal obligations. This means that Disaster Prevention Officers are not organized personnel in the traditional sense, nor are they civilian defense forces mobilized during wartime or under a mobilization order. Essentially, the certification represents a voluntary civilian engagement in social safety and disaster prevention and relief knowledge. The training curriculum covers practical subjects such as basic first aid skills, disaster information interpretation, the establishment and management of evacuation shelters, and the formulation of community disaster prevention plans. The goal is to enable trainees to protect their own safety during sudden disasters and, when able, to assist family members, friends, and neighbors, thereby strengthening the overall disaster resilience of society.

Looking back at the history of the Disaster Prevention Officer system in Taiwan, the government has drawn on the experiences of advanced disaster prevention nations, such as Japan, to gradually root disaster prevention and relief education in grassroots communities. Located at the intersection of seismic belts and typhoon paths, Taiwan faces natural disaster threats characterized by high uncertainty and regularity. In past major disasters, such as the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake and recent typhoons, disaster victims and community residents have often been the first responders. Consequently, how to convert scattered civilian goodwill into organized disaster prevention capacity equipped with professional common sense through systematic training has always been a priority for both central and local governments. The popularization of Disaster Prevention Officer training aims to effectively reduce loss of life and property and alleviate the pressure on regular police and fire units during disaster operations.

Looking ahead, the promotion of the Disaster Prevention Officer system requires continuous social communication and transparent information disclosure to eliminate unnecessary misunderstandings and concerns. Disaster prevention and relief are public affairs vital to the well-being of all citizens, requiring coordination and trust among different government ministries, local governments, and civil society. The Fire Bureau reaffirmed that enhancing the public’s disaster prevention and relief knowledge is a long-term policy goal. It hopes that all sectors of society will seriously address the severe challenges posed by climate change, support and participate in building grassroots disaster prevention networks, and work together to create a safe, stable, and highly responsive Taiwanese society.

(Source: Central News Agency)