Taoyuan Firefighters Conduct Water Rescue Drills Amid Summer Drowning Risk

As the summer season intensifies, bringing with it a heightened risk of drowning incidents, firefighters in Taoyuan City have conducted comprehensive water rescue drills. The drills took place at two key locations: Zhutouyu Fishing Port, managed by the Zhutouyu Brigade of the Third Brigade, and the Shimen Great Canal in Pingzhen, handled by the Pingzhen Brigade of the Fourth Brigade.

The Zhutouyu Brigade's training at Zhutouyu Fishing Port focused on all-around water rescue expertise. The exercises incorporated specialized training for volunteer firefighters, covering rapid boat preparation, troubleshooting outboard motors, and advanced water rescue techniques. Participants practiced high-difficulty maneuvers such as fixed-point search and rescue and S-shaped obstacle navigation under varying wave conditions, aiming to bolster the coordinated combat capabilities of both professional firefighters and volunteers.

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Zhutouyu Fishing Port and the surrounding coastline are summer tourist hotspots, and safety maintenance cannot be neglected.

Wu Chia-hao, captain of the Third Brigade, emphasized the importance of safety at Zhutouyu Fishing Port and its surrounding coastline, which are popular summer tourist destinations. He urged continuous disaster prevention drills and reminded the public to only swim in designated areas with lifeguards and to heed warning signs.

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The Pingzhen District has a unique geographical environment, with many ponds, fish farms, and the fast-flowing Shimen Great Canal. When patrolling for drowning prevention, we often find people fishing on the banks of ponds or playing in the canal without safety equipment, which is extremely dangerous.

Meanwhile, the Pingzhen Brigade conducted its drill at the Shimen Great Canal, identified as a high-risk drowning area within their jurisdiction. This exercise focused on simulating rescues specific to the canal's unique characteristics, including understanding water flow directions in main and branch channels, strategic placement of interception points, and the application of various rescue tactics. The brigade noted the geographical peculiarities of Pingzhen District, with its numerous ponds, fish farms, and the swift currents of the Shimen Great Canal.

Firefighters often observe individuals fishing precariously on pond banks or playing in canals without safety gear, creating dangerous situations. The Shimen Great Canal, though appearing calm, has strong undercurrents and hidden engineering features like siphons and culverts that can easily trap and drown individuals. The drill included simulated rescues of "live bait" (a firefighter acting as a drowning victim) and the deployment of rope bags to establish interception points.

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Call, Call, Extend, Throw, Paddle.