25 March 2011

Taiwan: Keelung’s disaster-precaution drill practiced authentically

(Zhuang Jia-hong, Military News Agency, Mar. 22, Keelung)
To cope with the likely occurrence of large-scale disasters such as a mudslide caused by a typhoon, a disaster-precaution drill was held by Keelung city government. Mayor Zhang Tong-rong pointed out the drill was practiced under the presumption of the occurrence of floods and mudslides after a strong typhoon hits. It was conducted through three stages: the preparations, the relief work, and the reconstruction, to diminish the damage of the citizens to the minimum.
The drill took place at Nuan-nuan District Station today under the supervision of Wang Zeng-teng, deputy director of Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Mayor Zhang Tong-rong. Representatives from the army such as Command in Guan-du District and Reserve Command of keelung City also joined the drill in the hope of cooperating with civilian groups to strengthen the power to cope with the disasters and reduce the damage.
Mayor Zhang Tong-rong noted that in the wake of the devastating 9-magnitute quake in Japan, the city government of Keelung held this  Centennial drill to mimic a situation when a tsunami warning is issued from the Central Weather Bureau and a radiation leak from No1 and No2
Nuclear Power Plants, so that the bail-out relief and reconstruction can be conducted efficiently when disasters really hit.
The drill took place in World Container through three stages and eleven items such as allotting, adaption and restoration. The participants all practiced with great enthusiasm and cooperation.
Wang Zeng-teng remarked that with the extreme change of global weather and frequent disasters all over the world, our people should develop the notions that “prevention is better than cure” and “A stitch in time saves nine.” It’s essential and vital that we get prepared before the occurrence of disasters, so that our lives and property will be intact and safe.