Chiayi mayoral candidate and legislator Wang Meihui of the Democratic Progressive Party today asked the Ministry of the Interior to review the possibility that residential alarms may lose functionality due to aging equipment and exhausted batteries. The government cannot only focus on the installation rate, but how to assist in regular inspections to ensure that the equipment is truly functioning. In the face of criticism from Zhang Qikai, the mayoral candidate of the People’s Party co-promoted by Blue and White, that she suppressed the police and fire department’s budget cuts, Wang Meihui clarified today that no cuts have been made. She has repeatedly questioned the budget in the Legislative Yuan, asking the government to pay attention to the duty burden and treatment of police and fire fighters, and strive to advance the start time of late-night duty allowance for police and fire fighters.
In response, the Ministry of the Interior and the Fire Department said they would work with local social welfare units to assist the public in inspecting and maintaining police equipment. Minister of the Interior Liu Shifang pointed out that about 9 to 10 counties and cities have already formulated autonomous regulations on fire prevention, and suggested that Chiayi City can also refer to relevant practices to strengthen residential fire safety.
The Chiayi City Fire Department responded that for households that have received subsidies from the fire department for installation, priority subsidy targets are disadvantaged groups living or taking refuge, and high-risk residential places must apply for replacement. If colleagues from each unit judge that the damage cannot be repaired and the subsidy conditions have not disappeared, they can be replaced. Subsidy or replace; actively educate the public that residential alarms should be "pressed, wiped, and replaced" regularly to instill the public's concept of home safety and self-protection; there have been 13 successful early warning cases for residential alarms in Chiayi City this year. As for the formulation of autonomous fire prevention regulations, they will be evaluated and discussed.
Wang Meihui said that according to statistics from the Ministry of Interior, the installation rate of residential alarms nationwide reached 99.17%, and Chiayi City even reached 99.40%. However, among the fire death cases nationwide in 2024, 72.11% were not installed with alarms or automatic alarm equipment. Residential alarms may lose their function due to aging equipment and exhausted batteries. The government cannot only focus on the installation rate, but also how to assist with regular inspections to ensure that the equipment is truly functioning.
When questioned, Wang Meihui said that she was concerned about the rights and protection of the work of police and firefighters, and had repeatedly asked questions in the Legislative Yuan, asking the government to pay attention to the duty burden and treatment of police and firefighters. The Executive Yuan has approved that starting from January next year, on-site duty and backup services during late night hours will be included in the scope of issuance. It is expected that more than 68,000 people will benefit. She also suggested that the central government consider advancing the start time of subsidy payment from 0:00 to 0:00 to make the system more in line with the needs of actual life and protect the rights and interests of frontline personnel.
Liu Shifang thanked Wang Meihui for repeatedly fighting for the rights and interests of the police and firefighters, and hoped that next year's central general budget will be passed smoothly and subsidies will be paid as scheduled. Police Commissioner Zhang Rongxing said that the feasibility of early release will be studied depending on the implementation situation next year.
