Addressing Challenges

 

In September 2023, a tragic incident unfolded as a massive fire engulfed the Mingyang International Technology Company factory, resulting in the courageous sacrifice of four firefighters. This event not only underscores the significance of firefighter rights but also draws attention to the longstanding issue of inadequate funding for firefighting and disaster relief within the central government budget allocation. Examining the data on casualties among Taiwan's firefighting personnel over the past decade, spanning from 2013 to 2023, we find that 35 firefighters have lost their lives while on duty. Out of this number, 32 succumbed to fires or gas explosions, with three incidents claiming the lives of five firefighters respectively. Regrettably, these tragedies have yet to prompt government authorities to prioritize the welfare and rights of our firefighters, resulting in a recurring cycle of commemoration on the day of mourning and amnesia by the next day’s morning.

Taiwan's firefighting environment faces several critical shortcomings:
I. Lack of Open, Timely and Integrated Disaster Prevention Information

One of the critical deficiencies in Taiwan's fire safety environment is the absence of up-to-date and consolidated disaster information. Regrettably, Taiwan has not fully embraced data digitization, leading to situations where firefighters arrive at the scene and still await physical copies of vital information. Consequently, they operate with limited knowledge of the building's layout, occupancy statistics, the presence of flammable or explosive materials, or any potential structural violations. As a result, our firefighters often find themselves navigating through dark and chaotic fire scenes, relying solely on their experience.

 

Inconsistent Disaster Prevention Agencies and Lack of Coordination

Taiwan's disaster prevention agencies are marred by inconsistency and a lack of coordination. When disasters occur, an efficient disaster response system is pivotal. However, in Taiwan, different government agencies handle different types of disasters. For example, earthquake disaster relief falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior, while aviation accidents are managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and pipeline explosions are commanded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Taking the the recent fire at the Mingyang International Technology Corporation in September 2023 as am example, the scene occurred within a "Science Park," overseen by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, whereas firefighting responsibilities were vested in the local Pingtung County government. Such division of roles often leads to confusion and inefficiency during disaster response efforts. Recalling the 2014 gas explosion in Kaohsiung, there were bureaucratic delays of follow-up between the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Kaohsiung City government, ultimately attracting reprimands from the Control Yuan.

 

Taiwan experiences a severe shortage of firefighters, with a firefighter-to-population ratio significantly lagging behind that of other nations. While Taiwan's ratio stands at 1 firefighter per 1,383 residents, other countries boast more favorable statistics. For instance, Hong Kong maintains a ratio of 1:720, Japan 1:763, South Korea 1:774, the United States 1:929, and Singapore 1:925. Addressing the chronic understaffing of firefighters is an urgent matter, necessitating immediate attention.

 

Outdated Equipment and Insufficient Budget for Firefighting

The alarming discrepancy between the volume of workloads and the available budget is a pressing concern. Based on the statistics from the Ministry of the Interior's National Fire Agency for the year 2022, an emergency call is made to the 119 service center in Taiwan approximately every 24 seconds. The total number of dispatches throughout the year amounted to 1.13 million, 300,000 of them were for fires and support services. Additional duties related to earthquake relief, snake removal, beehive extraction, and more compound the workload. However, despite the considerable workload placed on firefighters, the central government allocated a mere NT$2 billion (US$71.4 million) for firefighting in 2023. When this budget is combined with the contributions from local governments amounting to NT$29.9 billion (US$1.07 billion), the total budget for firefighting in Taiwan for 2023 reached just NT$31.9 billion (US$1.14 billion). In contrast, data from the 2022 International Fire Chiefs' Association of Asia (IFCAA) reveals a stark contrast in the budget allocations of other countries. For instance, South Korea dedicates an annual budget of US$5.7 billion (NT$184 billion) to firefighting, with a population of over 50 million. New Zealand, with a population just over 5 million, allocates US$383 million (NT$12 billion), Japan allocates US$15.29 billion (NT$500 billion), and even densely populated Hong Kong allocate US$990 million (NT$32 billion) to their firefighting budgets. To highlight the discrepancy further, the State of New York allocates US$2.2 billion (NT$70.9 billion) with a population similar to Taiwan's.

 

Upon evaluating the per capita budget allocation, it becomes evident that Taiwan's per capita allocation is a mere NT$1,363 (US$49) per person. In contrast, Japan dedicates NT$3,974 (US$144) per person, South Korea is NT$3,564 (US$129) per person, Hong Kong is NT$4,273 (US$155) per person, New Zealand is NT$2,000 (US$72) per person, Western Australia is NT$4,200 (US$152) per person, and the New York State is NT$3,603 (US$130) per person.

 

Inadequate Firefighter Staffing

 

The limited financial resources allocated to firefighting efforts in Taiwan have led to severe constraints in securing essential equipment and resources. Firefighting departments across the nation face significant challenges in procuring necessary gear, resulting in a precarious situation. According to public data from the Ministry of the Interior in July 2023, firefighting departments were budgeted to employ 21,907 personnel. However, the actual number of firefighters in active service stands at just 16,913. This alarming discrepancy highlights a critical issue, with the current firefighter workforce at only 77% of the recommended staffing levels.

 

This staggering deficiency in manpower has resulted in a remarkably low firefighter-to-population ratio in Taiwan, highlighting the severity of the issue. As of the most recent statistics in 2023, the national average stands at 1 firefighter for every 1,383 residents. This ratio varies across different cities and counties, with major urban areas such as Taipei City at 1: 1,370, New Taipei City at 1: 1,655, Taoyuan City at 1: 1,371, Taichung City at 1: 1,597, Tainan City at 1: 1,592, and Kaohsiung City at 1: 1,786. To accentuate the regional disparity, Hsinchu County's Hsinchu City reports an astonishingly high firefighter-to-population ratio of 1: 2,900, which is more than double the national average.

 

Solutions

 

1. Establishment of an Integrated E-Governance Platform for Safety Environment

a. Conduct joint inspections and ensure transparent information sharing.

b. Create a smart dispatch system for real-time access to crucial data during routine inspections and disaster response.

 

2. Formation of an Integrated Disaster Management Agency (Following the FEMA Model)

Emulate the structure of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to centralize disaster response capabilities and resources under unified command.

 

3. Significant Augmentation of Firefighting and Disaster Relief Budget

Allocate a minimum 50% increase in the budget for firefighting and disaster relief to:

a. Expand the firefighter workforce.

b. Modernize outdated equipment.

c. Promote research and utilization of advanced firefighting technologies, such as firefighting robots and infrared aerial drones.

 

4. Reinforcement of Disaster Mitigation

a. Enforce rigorous compliance with firefighting safety measures and planning at all premises.

b. Strengthen the responsibilities of designated "fire safety managers."

c. Implement joint inspections rigorously, impose stricter penalties for violations, and take necessary actions, including temporary closures, utility suspensions, and permit revocations.

 

5. Swift Enhancement of Workforce and Professionalism

a. Implement integrated recruitment and training programs to fulfill the need for firefighters.

b. Improve the welfare and benefit packages for firefighters to attract top talent.

c. Enhance the equipment, professional training, and welfare of volunteer firefighters, actively recruit volunteer firefighters, and encourage them to participate in special firefighter examinations.

d. Simplify and specialize firefighting and emergency response roles, with a primary focus on strengthening the firefighter workforce.

 

6. Support for the Establishment of Firefighters' Unions to Enhance Communication

Encourage and endorse the formation of firefighters' unions as an effective platform for communication.