The Ministry of Environment and the New Taipei City Government yesterday held a heat response drill, the first time a drill aimed to tackle the hybrid impacts of high temperatures.
Fifty units participated in the drill — 30 central government agencies, 16 city government agencies, three business entities and Far Eastern Memorial Hospital — Deputy Minister of the Environment Hsieh Yein-rui (謝燕儒) said.
Focused on health and lifeline infrastructure, the drill simulated temperatures of 40°C or higher lasting over a three-day period in Taipei, New Taipei City and Taoyuan, he said.
Photo:I-Hwa Cheng, AFP
Although the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act (災害防救法) has yet to include extreme heat as a natural disaster, its hazards have become evident in the heat waves that have swept the world this year, particularly in the US and Europe, Hsieh said.
This is the first time Taiwan has organized a heat response drill for such high temperatures, he said.
Power supply stability and restoration was prioritized in the exercise, as most people in Taiwan rely on air-conditioning to defend against heat, Hsieh said.
Photo: I-Hwa Cheng, AFP
Finding nearby cooling spots was also a key drill item, as prolonged time outdoors often leads to heat injuries, he said, adding that the ministry’s Cool Map platform shows more than 11,000 cooling spots.
Although 40°C temperatures remain uncommon in Taiwan, the nation must be prepared, given rising temperatures and international examples, Hsieh said.
Asked what differentiated it from the 38°C heat drill last year, Hsieh said the 2°C change would cause more significant discomfort and damage, and place greater strain on healthcare capacity.
The hospital’s Emergency Medicine Department chief Fan Chieh-min (范傑閔) said extreme temperatures could result in heat-related injuries.
For example, people who feel dizzy due to heat might fall while walking, he said, adding that such incidents would also pressure healthcare capacity.
The drill could help medical facilities prepare cooling equipment, he added.
New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan (劉和然) cautioned people against going outdoors under the midday sun and reminded them to stay hydrated.
The MRT system should also worry about potential power outages, Liu added.
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