Taipei City Fire Department Disaster Prevention Science Education Center Introduction
In light of the 7.2 magnitude Hanshin earthquake that struck Japan on January 17, 1995, resulting in the death of 6,430 people and injuring over 40,000, with over 510,000 buildings completely and partially collapsed, the total losses including public facilities were approximately 10 trillion yen, making it the second-largest natural disaster in Japan after the Ise Bay Typhoon post-World War II. Consequently, on July 10 of that same year (84th year of the Republic of China), the Taipei City Fire Department was restructured and established to enhance disaster prevention education for citizens, allowing them to experience disasters firsthand and understand the importance of disaster prevention. The Taipei City Government Fire Department's Disaster Prevention Science Education Center was planned as the first of its kind in Taiwan. It utilizes computers, electronics, and mechanical equipment to simulate various disaster scenarios, providing citizens hands-on experience in emergency evacuation knowledge such as fire prevention, flood control, earthquake resistance, and typhoon preparedness, thereby naturally integrating these skills into daily life. Through a fun and educational approach, it aims to improve citizens' disaster response abilities. It is hoped that after experiencing the exhibition, participants will share the disaster prevention knowledge and skills they gain with family and friends, helping everyone stay insulated from disasters and distant from threats.
