Asian Human Network Databank : Interaction Asia

2: Introduction of an ANMC21 Joint Project

As one of the joint projects of the ANMC21, the Network for Crisis Management holds a conference each year where professionals in crisis management from each city gather. Below is a description of the 8th Asian Crisis Management Conference, which was held in Taipei in September last year.

(2) The 8th Asian Crisis Management Conference was held

Held on the 17th (Fri.) and 18th (Sat.) of September, the conference's theme was “Disaster reduction adapting to global warming and climate change.” In addition to the host city of Taipei, representatives and specialists from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo gathered to form a group of some 100 participants that joined in lively discussion.

Conference being held

As the first session of the first day was devoted to response to Large-scale flood response in urban area, there was a presentation from Taiwan about experience and lessons learned from the major damage inflicted by Typhoon #8 Morakot in August 2009, as well as the flood defense efforts currently being strengthened by Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo. While exchanging discussion on experiences with disasters, the presentations planning out response measures and emphasizing communication, it was made clear that each city holds common interest in possible disasters related to climate change.

The second session focused on the disaster management for large scale activities, with reports on terrorism countermeasures in regard to the F1 Grand Prix scheduled in Singapore, the G20 scheduled in Seoul, and APEC scheduled in Yokohama(vicinity of Tokyo). In the third session, devoted to Pre-warning and pre-evacuation policy on landslide and debris flow, Taipei reported in-depth on new technology, while Tokyo reported on their receiving program from overseas in the event of a disaster.

Training Center of National Fire Agency

Drill simulating a crisis on a jet

The second day was made up of a visit to the Training Center of National Fire Agency located in central Taiwan's Nantou county, and to the Taipei 101 Building inside Taipei City. The Training Center, established in January, 2010, is Taiwan's largest fire fighter training center, featuring spacious grounds and the most modern training facilities. In addition to a conference center and trainee living quarters, the facilities include a simulation drill of a disaster on a Boeing 737 jet, a flood torrent rescue drill making use of a large manmade river, and simulated homes, factories, theaters, etc. that act as the site of fire drills. All of these training sites are operated by a unified control center in the control tower. Participants voiced a sense of awe at the facility, offering eager questions about the facilities and training programs.

Taipei 101 Building Observation

The next observation site was the Taipei 101 Building, the tallest building in the world at the time of its construction in 2004 and an industrial complex containing a shopping mall, offices, an observatory, and other features. Here participants observed crisis management measures such as disaster countermeasures and evacuation plans. Being that the participants hailed from major asian cities with numerous large buildings, there were many inquiries about the building's disaster-proofing and evacuation policies.

Thanks to the assistance of the Taipei City Fire Department as the host, the participants were able to enjoy a significant experience during the events of the second day. Seoul was determined as the host for next Asian Crisis Management Conference.

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