The National Fire Agency, Ministry of the Interior (NFA) held the "30th Anniversary Celebration and Phase 2 Construction Project Completion Ceremony" in Zhushan, Nantou this morning (20th). President Lai Ching-Te was invited for the entire event. The ceremony was held to thank all fellow firefighters for staying at their posts and protecting people's lives and property for the past 30 years. The event also marked the launch of phase 2 of the training center, symbolizing that the fire protection system continues to move towards modernization, specialization and internationalization.
Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-Fang said in her speech that it is the passion and humanity that drive the fellow firefighters to move forward courageously. There are always firefighters who risk their lives at every disaster scene neglecting their own safety, and the life safety of every firefighter is what the Ministry of the Interior and the NFA pays the most attention to.
Director General Hsiao Huan-Chang of NFA also stressed that this year the government approved an amendment to the Fire Service Act, as the "Safety and Health Protection for Fire Fighters in the Line of Duty" was incorporated into the system regulations. The work safety of firefighters is ensured from a legal perspective, so that every firefighter who works bravely at the front line will have more support and security.
In terms of implementation, the central government has approved 24 medium-term plans with a total budget of NT$28.5 billion to promote reforms in multiple aspects, including firefighting equipment replacement, of office building improvement, introduction of AI occupational safety management, and strengthening of disaster relief cooperation capabilities. It is expected to replace 236 fire trucks from 2020 to 2026. 3,000 additional firefighters have been added since 2019, and another 3,000 are planned to join the force by 2028, comprehensively strengthening the basic firefighting capabilities.
In terms of technology-based disaster relief, the NFA has promoted the central subsidies for 88 sets of drones and 88 disaster relief robots in local governments to strengthen the disaster intelligence and field rescue efficiency, reduce the exposure of frontline personnel in risk, and create a new situation of intelligent disaster relief.
The phase 2of the training center, which was opened for business today, is a major construction achievement that the NFA has been preparing for many years. At present, the training center has become the third largest fire training base in the world and the largest in Asia. Every year, it is estimated that 300,000 firefighters have been successfully trained proudly walked out the front gate, as opposed 50,000 when the center was first established, and several international certificated were awarded to the center in 2024. It is being planned to build the training center into an important disaster prevention and relief training and exchange platform in the Indo-Pacific region.
Minister Liu Shyh-Fang appreciated the President for attending the anniversary ceremony and expressed the highest respect to all firefighters for their hard work and dedication over the past 30 years. The NFA will focus on the four major upgrades of "legislation, technology, manpower, and training" to continue to strengthen disaster prevention resilience and work with the people of Taiwan to build a safer and more resilient Taiwan.
Esteemed guests, including Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-An; Deputy Magistrate Wang Rui-Te of Nantou County; Legislator Luo Mei-Ling; Deputy Minister Jiunn-Horng Yeh of Ministry of Environment; Director General Yein-Rui Hsieh of Chemicals Administration; Director General Wu Hsin-Hsiu of National Land Management Agency and Director Wang Yi-Wen of Disaster Prevention and Protection Office, Executive Yuan; as well as Deputy Chief Representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Hattori Takashi; Deputy Director Lukas Gajdos of European Economic and Trade Office; Deputy Director Stefan Hutter of Trade Office of Swiss Industries; Director Sabrina of Taichung Office, Manila Economic and Cultural Office and multiple foreign diplomats, were invited to witness this important milestone in Taiwan's fire protection development.