Lai Ching-te Urges Police and Firefighters, Thanking Them for Protecting the Safety of the Taiwanese People

During the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday season, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Lai Ching-te, visited the police and firefighters in Taoyuan today (January 25th) to express gratitude to the frontline personnel for their contributions and sacrifices in protecting the safety of the people 24/7 throughout the year.

President Lai Ching-te visited the “Zhongli Branch of Taoyuan City Police Department” and the “Second Disaster Relief and Rescue Team of Taoyuan City Fire Department and Zhongli Branch” to receive briefings on their work, understand the characteristics of the Zhongli area, achievements in combating fraud, preparations for the Lunar New Year holiday, and the arrangements for the “2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan.” He also distributed bonuses and lucky bags to commend the hard work of the police and firefighters.

In his address at the “Zhongli Branch of Taoyuan City Police Department,” President Lai expressed gratitude to the police personnel on the first day of the national holiday, emphasizing their round-the-clock efforts in maintaining public order, traffic stability, and caring for the people, which greatly contributes to the country and society.

President Lai further mentioned that Taoyuan City, as the gateway of northern Taiwan and a hub of industry and commerce, faces heavy responsibilities in maintaining security and traffic. Starting on February 12th, Taoyuan City will host the Taiwan Lantern Festival, adding to the busy workload and responsibilities of the police and firefighters. He extended sincere appreciation to all personnel involved and the Taoyuan City government team.

According to the briefings, President Lai acknowledged the thorough preparations made by the Taoyuan City government team and police personnel under the leadership of Mayor Jason Zhang, ensuring a clear understanding of the security situations in the area, the events throughout the year, and the various challenges anticipated at the Taiwan Lantern Festival. He expressed confidence that the people of Taiwan will feel at ease, anticipating a safe and smooth “2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan” and inviting everyone to participate.

President Lai then visited the “Second Disaster Relief and Rescue Team of Taoyuan City Fire Department and Zhongli Branch” to encourage the firefighters. He mentioned the nine-year hiatus in hosting the Taiwan Lantern Festival by the Taoyuan City government and praised the fire department’s exercises, believing they will deliver the best performance to ensure the public’s safety and security.

Regarding the safety of firefighters, President Lai recognized their courage in rescue operations, often risking their lives and tragically losing them in the line of duty. He expressed the hope that by 2025, zero deaths and major injuries among firefighters and rescue personnel can be achieved, with the Ministry of the Interior working on amending relevant regulations as a priority. He called for collective efforts to achieve this goal promptly.

President Lai highlighted the presence of numerous warehouses and factories in Taoyuan City containing chemicals and flammable materials, stressing the importance of self-conducted drills in these facilities for accurate assessments by the fire department in case of emergencies. Providing timely information to firefighters about the internal conditions before entering a fire site is crucial to minimizing casualties.

President Lai commended the introduction of AI technology in traffic signal control, as mentioned earlier by Mayor Zhang, facilitating the swift arrival of ambulances at hospitals. He emphasized the importance of reducing transportation times as extended periods of oxygen deprivation can lead to grave consequences for patients. He urged the Ministry of the Interior to share Taoyuan City’s successful utilization of artificial intelligence with other counties and cities, promoting national efforts to enhance safety and stability, ensuring progress in Taiwan.