Taoyuan mayor promises transparency after deadly fire
- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/taoyuan-mayor-promises-transparency-after-deadly-fire#sthash.A4sLG6qT.dpufTAIPEI - Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan yesterday promised to release all information relevant to the fire that killed six firefighters on Monday.
Cheng said the bowling alley in the city's Xinwu District, where the fire took place, had kept expanding into a "large illegal structure" over the past 20 years despite multiple inspections by the authorities, reports of wrongdoings and demolitions. It was not a mistake of a single public servant but of the entire Taoyuan government.
"How can a large illegal structure keep operating for 20 years until this day?" he questioned.
Cheng said he would make public all relevant information and ask Deputy Mayor Chiu Tai-san o set up an investigation task force.
Cheng led senior Taoyuan officials in a silent tribute to those who sacrificed their lives on Jan. 20, saying that new firefighters in the future should have six additional months of training before deployment. He also said that firefighter commanders should enhance their search and rescue techniques.
In response to questions over the lack of experience and training of the firefighters killed, Cheng pointed out that students at the Taiwan Police College, which also trains the nation's firefighters, should undergo special training classes lasting for at least six months before being allowed on active duty.
This would allow them to become familiar with their teams before facing the dangers of the job, he said. He also called for junior firefighters and experienced firefighters to be assigned to the same brigades.
Cheng gave an order that the Taoyuan Department of Public Works should tear down large structures that pose a danger to public safety. The government will allocate an extra NT$30 million (S$1.271 million) for the removal of the said structures, which should be conducted immediately and without influence peddling
The National Fire Agency held a conference at 8 p.m. on Jan. 20, reviewing the cause of the tragedy and the arrangement of firefighters and equipment. Responding to suspicions of the public, the Fire Agency announced that the rescue commander was not to blame for the firefighters' deaths.
An audio recording made available yesterday revealed that the commander had asked the firefighters to retreat from the scene.
In related news, the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office (decided to perform autopsies on the six deceased firefighters to determine if the burns on their bodies were inflicted posthumously.
Structure of the Lead：
WHO- Cheng Wen-tsan
WHEN- yesterday
WHAT- promised
WHY-to release all information relevant to the fire that killed six firefighters on Monday.
WHERE-
HOW-no given
Keywords：
1. relevant 相應
2. commanders 指揮員
3. demolitions 拆除
4. brigades 隊
5. allocate 分配
6. autopsies 屍體解剖
It is such a sorrowful accident that I cannot any any words. I admire the faith of those firefighters. They sacrifice their own lives to save the people! On the other hand, the bowling alley is a "large illegal structure" over the past 20 years, I wonder why it can exist for so many years. In my opinion, I think the government should do their best to carry out the laws and also they have to seek the balance. Moreover, I hope all the firefighters in Taiwan can have more practice and train. It can not only saves the people' s lives but also theirs.
回覆刪除I feel sad to hear the news. I admire the six brave fire fighters very much. Most of them were still very young. They sacrificed their own lives and saved the lives of the other people. It is said that the bowling alley is an illegal construction. The government should pay more attention on the illegal constructions, if they are dangerous, they should be knocked down immediately. I hope the sad news won't happen again.
回覆刪除It's sad to hear that the deadly fire happen in Taiwan. During the saving mission, six firefighters are killed in the accident. However, what really catches my attention is that the building having a fire is a illegal construction. It seems that if we had knock down the building before we sacrifice those firefighters' lives, there won't happen such tragedy. Thus, it is really a question that if we should really have to sacrifice something even though we can prevent it from happening.
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