This afternoon (May 15), Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Su Jun-Bin visited Yangmei District to attend the “2024–2025 National Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Disaster Response Drill and 2025 Taoyuan City Disaster Response Tabletop Exercise.” Su stated that with approximately 700 regulated toxic chemical facilities—the highest number in the country—Taoyuan faces significant risk. As such, it must adopt the most comprehensive planning and robust management to strengthen both prevention and emergency response systems. Through this interdepartmental tabletop exercise, the city government aims to thoroughly review existing procedures and ensure they are sufficient to address real-world disaster scenarios. The exercise also seeks to establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) that can serve as a model for other regions.
Su said that the Taoyuan City Government has maintained close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Chemicals Administration to enhance chemical management measures and establish a joint defense mechanism. In the event of an unavoidable disaster, the government can rapidly mobilize resources from military, civil, and public sectors to initiate emergency responses, including medical services, rescue operations, traffic control, shelter arrangements, and environmental restoration, thereby minimizing losses.
He further noted that the toxic chemical disaster drill consists of four main phases: seminars, tabletop exercises, field exercises, and evaluation sessions. Currently in the second phase, today’s drill is a full-scale, combat-level simulation using dynamic scenarios to immerse participants. This approach helps identify weaknesses or gaps in current response procedures, ultimately enhancing the overall disaster management system.
Minister without Portfolio Chi Lien-Cheng from the Executive Yuan remarked that the core objective of the drill is to “verify” the effectiveness of preparation and training. It covers three essential stages—prevention, response, and recovery—with none being dispensable. In particular, the recovery stage, including resettlement of residents and factory reconstruction, presents considerable challenges. The Executive Yuan’s evaluation team will participate throughout the event, providing professional feedback and hoping that Taoyuan can establish a high-standard model for nationwide reference.
According to the Department of Environmental Protection of the Taoyuan City Government (TYDEP), this tabletop exercise employed a scenario-based approach with response decision-making. The drill simulated a disaster event across five operational levels: the incident site, forward command post, district-level response center, forward coordination center, and the city-level Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Participants practiced activating emergency response structures, reviewing manpower needs, defining responsibilities, and handling assigned tasks. For the first time, the EOC incorporated the U.S.-based Emergency Support Function (ESF) model to explore a potential framework for future disaster response in Taoyuan.
The drill was attended by Minister without Portfolio Chi Lien-Cheng, Deputy Minister of Environment Shen Chih-Hsiu, Deputy Director-General of the Chemicals Administration Chen Shu-Ling, Director of the Executive Yuan Office of Disaster Management Wang Yi-Wen, Director-General of TYDEP Yen ChiLliang, Luzhu District Director Lee Yue-Tan, and other officials.