To ensure safety at the Tienmu Baseball Stadium, scheduled to host the 34th Baseball World Cup from Nov. 6 through Nov. 18, the Taipei City Government yesterday held an emergency disaster drill.
After inspecting the one-hour drill, Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
PHOTO: AFP
"The terrorist attack against US soil on Sept. 11 teaches us one thing. That is: anything can happen," Ma said. "We should be well prepared at all times for any possible disaster that might occur in the future."
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Four scenarios were simulated during the drill.
In the first scenario, stadium medical personnel responded to spectators being pushed forward by a panicked crowd and falling out of the stands onto the field. Some had broken limbs, others were injured by objects held or dropped by other spectators.
Before ambulances arrived at the scene -- which took between five to 10 minutes to arrive, the injured were given first-aid at the stadium's medical center. Those more seriously injured were sent to neighboring Yang Ming Hospital, Veterans General Hospital, Hsingkuang Hospital and Cheng Hsin General Hospital.
In the second scenario, stadium medical personnel responded to a spectator who fainted in his seat and then stopped breathing.
The person was treated with a cardiac defibrillator to jumpstart his heart and then rushed to a nearby hospital.
The third scenario consisted of a bomb exploding at the stadium, sending the crowd into a panic. After directing the crowd to evacuate the scene, police began sealing off the area around the blast. All entrances to the stadium were closed and traffic around the stadium was restricted.
They then proceeded to collect evidence and inspect the area to make sure it was safe.
Those suffering from minor injuries were treated at the stadium's medical center and those who were seriously injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
In the fourth and final scenario, a suspicious looking package is found under a seat in the press area. After being found to contain explosives, it is carefully taken by police to an open space and detonated. Police proceeded to collect the debris and photograph the evidence collected.
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