Taiwan Bolsters Resilience: Large-Scale Civil Defense Drills Showcase Community Preparedness

Grassroots Training in Nantou County Highlights Taiwan's Commitment to National Security and Disaster Response

Taipei, April 28 – In a demonstration of unwavering commitment to national security and community preparedness, the Formosa Republican Association (FRA), an NGO, spearheaded a series of large-scale civil defense exercises in Nantou County, Taiwan, over the weekend. Approximately 100 participants honed crucial skills, reinforcing grassroots resilience against both potential conflict and natural disasters.

The two-day drills, held at the National Fire Agency's Training Center, drew participation from over 10 civil defense groups across Taiwan. The exercises simulated a range of challenging scenarios to test participants' capabilities.

The first day focused on practical skills, with participants divided into specialized groups. They tackled scenarios involving battlefield medical care, the safe evacuation of injured civilians, and managing disruptive elements. Initially, the groups faced challenges, but coordination improved under the guidance of a central command center.

A crucial element of the training was the after-action review, where participants analyzed their performance and identified areas for improvement. This iterative process proved effective, as demonstrated in subsequent drills involving casualty transport and sheltering.

The second day introduced more complex scenarios, including the evacuation of injured soldiers from a simulated battlefield and the search-and-rescue of individuals trapped in a collapsed building following a missile strike. Participants also practiced managing a busy medical station overwhelmed with casualties.

The drills were observed by several high-profile figures, including Deputy Interior Minister Maa Shyh-yuan (馬士元), NFA head Hsiao Huan-chang (蕭煥章), members of the Presidential Office's Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, and retired generals from Taiwan's military. Maa Shyh-yuan (馬士元) emphasized the importance of these private-sector civil defense groups in demonstrating the people's resolve to protect Taiwan's values.

FRA Chairman Jason Chen (陳彥升) highlighted the growing threats posed by China and emphasized the vital role of civilians in supporting the armed forces during both wartime and natural disasters. The FRA aims to strengthen Taiwan's overall capacity through such training events.

Lucy Liu (劉玉皙), a member of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, briefed representatives from the Japanese, Canadian, and Dutch representative offices in Taiwan, who were observing the drills. She noted the existence of around 20 civil defense groups across Taiwan, including organizations like the Kuma Academy and the Forward Alliance, offering training in diverse areas such as fitness, combat, shelter management, first aid, and drone operation.

Chen Jung-pin (陳榮彬), from a New Taipei-based civil defense group, praised the effectiveness of the after-action reviews in refining their approach. He also underscored the value of joint exercises in fostering collaboration and resource sharing among different groups.

Yu Tsung-chi (余宗基), a retired Army major general and special consultant for FRA, stated that these drills are particularly relevant in a scenario when the Chinese People's Liberation Army would switch from an exercise to a surprise attack, as these exercises would shorten civilian response time and streamline the necessary actions.