TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chiayi County Fire Bureau established a disaster relief drone team in Fanlu Township on Thursday.
Chiayi County Fire Bureau inaugurated its drone rescue team of 30 firefighters with drone operation certifications. The team demonstrated a riverbed rescue operation using drones at the event, per CNA.
The bureau said drones are equipped with high-altitude reconnaissance, thermal imaging, and video transmission capabilities, enabling them to provide critical information for the command center. The bureau will continue to expand its drone operator training program, including flight control and image analysis.
During the inauguration ceremony, Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁) said drones help enhance firefighter safety. He said the drones' onboard equipment helps operators identify fire ignition points and locate trapped individuals.
Taiwan has seen a surge in mountaineering activities in recent years, leading to an increase in mountain rescue cases. The county reported more than 75 mountain accidents from 2022 to last year.
According to the National Fire Agency, more than 51 individuals died in mountain accidents in Taiwan last year. The agency said that from 2015 to 2023, the most common mountain-related incidents were climbers getting lost, totaling 1,027 cases, followed by 609 injuries, 294 illnesses, and 279 falls into valleys.
The bureau added that traditional disaster relief methods are often limited by terrain and visibility. It will continue to utilize high-tech equipment to assess disaster situations and enhance rescue operation effectiveness.
Taipei Volunteer Fire Brigade launched its drone team in May. It has assisted Taipei City Fire Department in disaster response in mountainous and water areas.
New Taipei Fire Department is promoting drone pilot training for firefighters and operation certifications. Last year, the National Fire Agency subsidized the department's purchase of four Skydio drones, which can fly for up to 35 minutes and have a remote control range of up to 10 kilometers.
