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Emergency response system survives trial by earthquake

President Ma Ying-jeou (center) and Premier Wu Den-yin (left) are in the Central Command Center March 4 to receive information about the magnitude-6 earthquake that hit southern Taiwan in the morning. (CNA)

• Publication Date：03/05/2010
• Source： United Daily News

The nation’s emergency response system reacted swiftly to the magnitude-6.4 earthquake that shook Taiwan March 4, reaching the immediate vicinity of the temblor within minutes.

When the earthquake occurred at 8:18 a.m., President Ma Ying-jeou was holding a routine meeting. He called it off immediately and spoke on the phone with Premier Wu Den-yih, the director-general of the National Fire Agency, and the 8th Army Corps.

By 8:20 a.m., the NFA had activated its Emergency Response System.

By 8:30 a.m., the Joint Operation Command Center of the Ministry of National Defense had given orders to regional bases to set up individual response centers, prepare rescue equipment, and establish emergency communication systems. They were instructed as well to be prepared to present an assessment on the status of their troops to the premier by 9:00 a.m.

By 8.35 a.m., the 8th Army Corps, stationed in Chishan Township in Kaohsiung County, had assembled an emergency response force to be dispatched to Jiaxian Township, located 17 kilometers southeast of the quake’s epicenter.

Led by Maj. Gen. Fu Yung-ming, the force soon reached the Liouguei Township Administration and the Jiaxian Township Administration, where it would set up command centers.

By 9:29 am, eight helicopters with the Army Air Force were airborne, surveying the area south of the Zengwen River and Fangshan Township in Pingtung County for any possible damage.

During the rest of the day, both the president and the premier visited first the Central Command Center and then the Southern Regional Command Center in Tainan County, where they received updates on the situation.

Wu said that even though the earthquake did not cause extensive damage, emergency response teams needed to remain on alert for possible mudslides. If necessary, emergency evacuation procedures would be carried out, he said. (HZW)