To ensure rapid environmental recovery after disasters, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) and the Taoyuan City Department of Environmental Protection conducted a "Post-Disaster Environmental Recovery Dispatch and Disinfection Drill" on July 2, which was hosted by Environmental Management Administration Deputy Director-General Liu Jui-Hsiang and Taoyuan Department of Environmental Protection Chief Secretary Huang Mei-Chun. The drill simulated scenarios such as clogged drains and fallen trees after heavy rainfall brought by a typhoon, which could impact urban traffic and environmental sanitation. The exercise aimed to strengthen coordination and response between central and local governments, thereby enhancing the response capacity of all levels of government in tasks such as disaster response, environmental cleanup, and disinfection to ensure public safety and environmental quality.
The drill simulated various emergency scenarios that may occur following a disaster. It involved the on-site dispatch of cleaning personnel, various vehicles, and disinfection equipment from unaffected neighboring areas such as Taipei, New Taipei, and Hsinchu. Participating personnel were fully equipped and demonstrated the standard procedures for post-disaster cleanup and disinfection, effectively simulating sanitation issues that arise in some areas due to blocked roads and drainage systems following typhoon-induced heavy rains. The drill utilized the Environmental Management Information System (EMIS) as a digital platform to consolidate information on available equipment, manpower, and disinfectants in real time across different units and regions, effectively shortening the time needed to initiate rescue and recovery missions after disasters. Through this drill, participating units not only tested various response procedures but also reinforced the close coordination between equipment support, debris removal, and disinfection operations, which are expected to facilitate rapid recovery and urban restoration in future disasters.
With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of typhoons and heavy rains in recent years, post-disaster environmental recovery, sanitation, and safety have become critical challenges for governments at all levels. This drill emphasized resource integration and lateral coordination between central and local agencies and demonstrated cross-region resource dispatch and emergency response capabilities. The MOENV said in the face of severe climate challenges, not only must post-disaster recovery mechanisms be improved, but daily disaster prevention and environmental maintenance must also not be neglected. In the future, the ministry will continue to optimize and promote related response drills and encourage active participation from all sectors to jointly safeguard public health and ecological safety, thereby providing practical support for the nation's disaster response system.