DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Disasters & Emergencies

Taitung County Fire Bureau's 'Technology Volunteer Firefighters' debut drill, featuring former rescuee Matthew

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taitung County Fire Bureau's "Technology Volunteer Firefighters" unit held its first drill, incorporating advanced technology like drones.
  • Matthew, an Australian son-in-law who was previously rescued by the unit, participated as an observer and expressed gratitude.
  • The drill simulated sea and air rescue operations, emphasizing inter-unit coordination and the use of technology for disaster response along Taitung's coast.

The Taitung County Fire Bureau showcased its new "Technology Volunteer Firefighters" unit in its inaugural drill at Wushibi Harbor, demonstrating advanced rescue capabilities. This exercise highlighted the integration of cutting-edge technology, including various types of drones, into disaster response operations.

A notable participant was Matthew, an Australian son-in-law who was rescued by the fire bureau in mid-May after being trapped in the mountains. Fulfilling a promise, Matthew joined the drill as an observer, expressing his gratitude to the firefighters who saved him. Fire Chief Lu Dong-fa specifically acknowledged Matthew, who stood at the front of the group, noting his excellent swimming skills and interest in joining the volunteer firefighting team.

The drill involved a collaborative effort with the Coast Guard, featuring four different types of drones for aerial reconnaissance and rescue. Remote-controlled lifebuoys and simultaneous sea-air search and rescue operations were executed. A scenario presented by Deputy Captain Lai Yuan-chih tested the units' ability to coordinate different drones and rescue boats.

Thank you for the bun you gave me then.

— MatthewMatthew, an Australian who was previously rescued by the unit, greeted the firefighters who saved him during the drill.

FPV (First-Person View) drones were used for initial reconnaissance, followed by larger drones equipped to deploy lifebuoys from various altitudes. A larger Coast Guard drone provided an overhead view, coordinating personnel deployment. Chief Lu emphasized that while the weather was calm for the drill, actual disaster situations can be more severe, providing an opportunity for firefighters to hone their skills and improve inter-unit communication.

With Taitung's 176-kilometer coastline, the integration of technology for search and rescue is crucial. The fire bureau aims to enhance its capabilities beyond individual rescue skills, leveraging technological equipment for efficient search operations, which is a key focus for future disaster response development in the region.

Matthew has excellent swimming skills and intends to join the volunteer firefighting team, which the fire bureau strongly welcomes.

— Lu Dong-faTaitung County Fire Bureau Chief Lu Dong-fa commented on Matthew's participation and potential involvement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog