Afraid not! I got you!
The Fire Protection Systems Reform and Safe Home
Our homeland will be made safer and more secure through the upgrading of equipment, sufficient staffing, familiarity with various disaster procedures, and the modification and reform of the government system.
In the chaotic scene filled with smoke and buzzing sound of alarm, several fire fighters in fire protection suits and masks entered the fire scene quickly and in an orderly manner. From evacuating civilians, deploying hoses, search and rescue to extinguishing the fire, they shoulder the duty of saving people's lives. Thrilling as it may sound, it is the daily life of firefighters.
There are many unpredictable events in life. When an accident occurs, it is often necessary to dispatch fire protection vehicles or ambulances for rescue. Zhang Hong-Yi, Squad Leader of 1st Search and Rescue Team, Taoyuan City Fire Department has 20 years of experience in fire suppression and rescue. Zhang currently serves as a training instructor instructing technology and information to colleagues. Huang Si-Jie, a member of the Sanmin Branch, First Corps, Taoyuan Fire Department known for highest rescue volume in Taoyuan, has also engaged in fire protection for more than 10 years, and is very good at rescue work. The two having dedicated to fire protection have felt the profound changes in Taoyuan in recent years it terms of fire suppression and rescue process, or the reform of equipment and systems.
Various Upgrade Measures for Securing Firefighters
"Taoyuan is a major industrial city with industrial areas and factories in various sizes. There have been several major fires in the past, and the failure to fill up the staff comes frequently. However, after the Xinwu bowling alley fire, Taoyuan's fire protection received significant improvement, including fire rescue management system, training courses, attendance system, etc., I think Taoyuan is on the right track," said Zhang Hong-Yi.
To ensure the movement and safety of every firefighter, Taoyuan has introduced a solid control system to track the personnel status in real time, and has planned a sound brigade of staff to be dispatched to large-scale disaster sites to improve the efficiency of fire and rescue. On weekdays, special fire rescue training, fire site survival training, personal self-rescue and other courses are held to strengthen self-protection capabilities. In the meantime, the rotational shifts featuring one day off after a day of work is effected to ensure that FD personnel get a proper rest, and the adjustment of overtime pay for overwork and the subsidy for duties in the capital are adopted to ensure the welfare of firefighters.
"The good thing about Taoyuan City is that our equipment has a uniform style, brand and specification, so it's easy to tell the difference. This facilitates the inspection before entering the room. Also, it is convenient for me to help my fellow firefighters change equipment in the middle of a rescue." Captain Zhang believes that unified equipment can expedite fire suppression and rescue and ensure the safety of team members. The service vehicles of the Search and Rescue Team are also equipped with complete command equipment and radio waves extender, which can maintain good communication conditions on the rescue site.
"Each of our team members are allocated two complete sets of personal equipment. A new 'video laryngoscope' has also been equipped on the ambulance so that the senior ambulance technician can perform intubation through the monitoring screen. There are also pieces of equipment specialized for intraosseous infusion to allow us perform injection to patients." According to Huang Si-Jie, these devices have greatly improved the survival rate of patients with OHCA (Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest).
Proper Staffing Allowing Sufficient Rest Time for Staff
"When people get admitted to firefighters, their first choice of service will be their hometown. However, because of the changes in the system and welfare, which provide greater guarantees. Recently, more people chose Taoyuan as the location of service, and most of them are from the neighboring New Taipei City. Every year, there are growths at about 100 people, which greatly complements our manpower and improve the quality of fire rescue." Zhang Hong-Yi expressed his views on the staffing establishment. "In the past, two ambulances were often be dispatched in succession. Although there were equipment, there sometimes are situations which the rescue could not be carried out due to insufficient manpower on site. To this date, after replenishing the manpower and grouping people and vehicles, the establishments come in 3 people in one ambulance, or 5 people in two ambulances, which smoothen the operations." Huang Si-Jie also explained that limited by factors such as environment, space and time, manpower is very important in the resuscitation performed on the ambulance or on the spot.
Every fire protection partner is very important for fire rescue operations. In order to allow every staff to have sufficient rest time, Taoyuan is making efforts to meet the needs of its personnel in recent years according to the conditions of each branch.
Disaster Prevention Education Enabling Citizens to Keep Close Tabs on Own Safety
In addition to the improvement of fire rescue resources, in order to avoid regrets, Zhang Hong-Yi also attempts to convey correct escape knowledge. "We want to remind people not to rush to escape when a disaster occurs. If there is thick smoke outside, the first thing is to close the door and clearly tell the fire protection personnel where they are. This would rather guarantee a higher survival rate!"
"Disaster prevention" and "fire suppression and rescue" are equally important. Training Center and Disaster Education Center, Taoyuan Fire Department in Bade District, Taoyuan City is the City's first and national indicator of disaster prevention exhibition venue combining technology, entertainment and education. The five major exhibition areas allows the visitors to establish the concept of disaster prevention through games, so that they not only prevent disasters, but also respond calmly when disasters occur.
"Doing this job is happy, and I will feel that I am doing a good deed. I am very grateful that Taoyuan has been improving the fire protection system, and we will work hard to make Taoyuan better and better!" Taoyuan is committed to improving fire protection safety and listening the voice of firefighters. Through system reform, staffing, equipment upgrades and the efforts of all Firefighters, Taoyuan will take fire protection to a higher level!