The Environmental Management Administration of the Ministry of Environment held the "2024 Environmental Disaster Response and Recovery Affairs Exchange and Sharing Conference" on August 26th, where it presented the "2024 EMIS System Drill Excellence Award" and the "2023 and 2024 Environmental Disaster Preparedness and Response Excellence Award," with Taoyuan City awarded a total of eight accolades. Deputy Minister Shen Chih-hsiu personally presented the awards, commending Taoyuan City's outstanding performance in environmental disaster preparedness and response. Director Chang Shu-hao of the Office of Environmental Management, Taoyuan City Department of Environmental Protection, attended the ceremony to receive the awards.
TYDEP received the "2023 and 2024 Environmental Disaster Preparedness and Response Excellence Award." The Taoyuan, Zhongli, Luzhu, Guishan, Pingzhen, Xinwu District teams, and the Fuxing District Cleaning Squad achieved full scores in the EMIS system drills, earning the highest honor of the "2024 EMIS System Drill Excellence Award."
According to Director-General Chen Shih-wei of the Taoyuan City Department of Environmental Protection(TYDEP), before the typhoon season, the city conducts monthly inspections of roadside ditches to clear silt and debris. In response to public reports of blocked drains, teams are dispatched immediately. From January to June 2024, approximately 658 kilometers of ditches were cleared, removing 838 tons of silt. Such proactive disaster preparedness and simulation exercises aim to minimize the impact of disasters. After the typhoon, over 2,900 cleaning and sanitation personnel were mobilized to help residents clear approximately 1,500 tons of waste, restoring city cleanliness swiftly. Garbage collection resumed its regular schedule by the evening of the 25th, completing post-disaster recovery efficiently.
The TYDEP highlighted the use of the Environmental Management Information Systems (EMIS) established by the Ministry of Environment. Each district cleaning team regularly updates disaster response resources in the system and completes resource readiness and notification tasks before each typhoon. During the 2024 EMIS system drill organized by the Environmental Management Administration, the Taoyuan, Zhongli, Luzhu, Guishan, Pingzhen, Xinwu District teams, and the Fuxing District Cleaning Squad achieved a 100% completion rate in their readiness notifications, earning the Drill Excellence Award. This reflects the rigorous preparedness of each district cleaning team.
The TYDEP emphasized that these awards and recognitions are just the beginning. It will continue to work diligently on cross-departmental disaster preparedness and response efforts. They also urged the public to take proactive measures in light of increasing heavy rainfall events due to climate change. Residents are encouraged to regularly inspect and clear leaves and debris from drainage ditches near their homes to prevent flooding and maintain environmental hygiene. The Taoyuan City Department of Environmental Protection is committed to standing alongside residents, tackling future challenges together.