In order to implement President Lai Chengde's concept of "defense resilience of the whole society", the Ministry of Interior has made every effort to promote the central ministries, 22 local governments and private training institutions to expand and promote the training of disaster prevention personnel since 2013. The Ministry of Interior announced today that the number of disaster prevention personnel who have obtained certificates across the country officially exceeded the 200,000 mark today, symbolizing that my country's national independent disaster prevention and relief efforts have entered a new milestone. Minister of the Interior Liu Shifang also personally issued disaster prevention personnel certificates in an earlier ministry meeting to express recognition and gratitude.
Liu Shifang said that Taiwan often faces threats from typhoons, earthquakes and extreme weather. When disasters occur, in addition to the government's professional rescue forces, neighbors, colleagues, relatives and friends who understand disaster prevention knowledge and have basic first aid capabilities can become an important force in providing assistance immediately. "The more people who understand disaster prevention, the more they can protect their families, neighbors and communities."
The Ministry of the Interior pointed out that the five representatives who received the certificates this time were the 199,998th to the 200,02nd disaster prevention personnel in the country. They were senior ground staff of EVA Air, students and master's students of the National Taiwan Normal University, monks from the Pingtung Buddhist Association, and members of the National Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China. From young students to practitioners from all walks of life, the five representatives also said that disaster prevention personnel have gradually gone beyond the scope of traditional community training and become a disaster prevention action that all people participate in.
The Ministry of the Interior cited this year's training results as an example. 34,439 men in the standing service and alternative service have received training, 4,961 people from the second security corps and security operators, 7,758 village chiefs and village officials, 1,078 personnel related to apartment building management, and 1,941 members of people's organizations participated in the training. Religious groups have also responded actively, covering Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and emerging religions. This year, 21 trainings have been held with 1,505 participants. From the security personnel who maintain community safety to the village chiefs who serve the local area and the religious groups that go deep into the people, a national disaster prevention network is gradually connected.
The Ministry of the Interior further explained that the disaster prevention specialist training course covers disaster prevention systems, personal home protection, emergency rescue, evacuation and disaster prevention plans, etc., and allows the public to learn how to protect themselves and help others through practical training such as CPR and AED. Obtaining the Disaster Prevention Personnel Certification will not confer additional disaster relief responsibilities or obligations. Regardless of gender, age or occupation, as long as you are willing to learn, you can join the ranks of Disaster Prevention Personnel.
The Ministry of the Interior emphasized that the Disaster Prevention Officer system upholds the core spirit of "self-help, mutual aid, and collaboration." It can assist communities in promoting disaster prevention publicity, drills, and preparations in normal times. When a disaster occurs, it can also assist with evacuation, notification, and neighbor mutual assistance before the government's rescue forces arrive. During the recent Typhoon Qiangbi, disaster prevention fighters and private volunteers in many communities in the north actively participated in pre-disaster preparations, disaster response and post-disaster recovery work, demonstrating the actual effectiveness of independent private disaster prevention.
The Ministry of the Interior reiterates that it will continue to deepen public-private collaboration in an open and diversified manner in the future, combined with the vision of "everyone is a disaster prevention warrior", to steadily move towards higher-level training goals, and comprehensively build a safe Taiwan with strong resilience.
