Officials call for disaster response mechanisms

As reconstruction work continues in areas affected by the 921 earthquake, officials urged yesterday that disaster prevention mechanisms are needed to minimize future disaster damages on the island.

Reporting to Control Yuan officials, Chen Hung-yi (3砲側Y?/CHINESE>), the director-general of the National Fire Administration under the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) said the establishment of an independent state-level disaster prevention body -- and an upgrade of the sophisticated high-tech satellite communications systems for emergencies -- would be crucial in arming the island against future disaster.

"Emergency rescue mechanisms in the US, such as the Urban Search and Rescue team under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), may serve as a model for Taiwan to build up such an mechanism," said Chen.

FEMA is a federal-level emergency rescue structure for dealing with disasters in the US.

Chen also indicated that no time should be wasted in passing disaster prevention laws, which have been stuck in draft form for several years. These laws would serve as a foundation for future measures required in mobilizing manpower and facilities in disaster rescue, he said.

Tang Yun-ming (-?明), director of Taichung County's fire bureau, blamed insufficient manpower for ineffective disaster relief, as more resources could have lessened casualties during the vital moments after the quake.

"We are `rich poor men' in Taiwan. Despite Taiwan's position as having the second highest foreign reserves on earth, and among the top 20 largest trade bodies in the world, we don't even have an organized emergency team in place," said Tang.

"We can see that most front-line domestic rescue efforts must consist of something more than our presently meager resources. In Tungshih township we have five fire fighters who were either from the military or who were temporary volunteers fire fighters," Tang said.

"We need expanded professional teams on both the national and local levels, with solid training in preparation for disasters that could hit the island any time," Tang added.

With the Cabinet-level "reconstruction promotion commission" in place, the Council of Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) has drawn up proposals for a five-year reconstruction plan for quake-stricken areas. Despite have established the commission, CEPD officials said yesterday that problems still need to be resolved.

"Both urban and rural reconstruction work will involve numerous and complicated existing laws and regulations,"said Chang Lung-sheng (張隆2?/CHINESE>), a staff member at the CEPD.

"Along with the emergency decree enacted for pushing forward quake-related measures for six months, I think there should be a special law enacted to allow simplified legal procedures for pushing forward reconstruction work as well," Chang added.

Chang also said that although there is a good supply of portable housing from both the government and civilian institutions, government policy is to help people find more permanent accommodation, and to reduce the need for temporary housing.

Despite the fact that reconstruction plans are already in place, social scientists said the government needs to listen to people to find out what their housing needs are.

"Instead of merely listening to professionals or following government regulations as has been past practice in Taiwan, both the government and private institutions involved in reconstruction work should take into consideration the perspectives of residents themselves," said Chen Chi-nan (3祠銕n), dean of the college of humanities and social sciences at National Chiaotung University.