Taipei: Taiwan's National Fire Agency (NFA) announced on Thursday that it will conduct a series of drills simulating a magnitude 8.5 earthquake in September to improve the government's emergency response capabilities.
According to Focus Taiwan, the drills are set to coincide with National Disaster Prevention Day on September 21, aiming to test Taiwan's readiness and enhance its resilience to potential major earthquakes.
The NFA Director-General, Hsiao Huan-chang, emphasized the importance of ongoing disaster prevention measures, stating that such initiatives are crucial for bolstering Taiwan's earthquake resilience. The exercises will include sending an earthquake alert to all mobile phone users via the Public Warning Cell Broadcast system. Additionally, news tickers on television and radio broadcasts will simultaneously inform the public.
The drills will also feature a tsunami warning component, designed to ensure the swift evacuation of coastal residents and thereby strengthen Taiwan's overall earthquake preparedness. These annual drills, which have been held since 2018, involve participation from various ministries and local governments.
The NFA's announcement came on the first anniversary of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Hualien County on April 3, 2024. On the same day, Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Main Office, issued a statement expressing condolences to those affected by last year's earthquake.
Greene highlighted the importance of enhancing disaster prevention and response capabilities to improve Taiwan's resilience against various crises. He noted that the United States and Taiwan are collaborating to ensure disaster preparedness across different sectors, with the partnership focusing on responding to future natural disasters and challenges.