Taiwan spent three days preparing for an emergency: during a large-scale civil protection exercise in Taitung and other parts of eastern Taiwan, national emergency services worked alongside international partners to practise responding to a major earthquake. ISAR Germany also took part at the invitation of the National Fire Agency (NFA). The „Large-Scale Earthquake Disaster Relief Mobilisation Drill“ took place from 16 to 18 September as part of the 2026 National Disaster Prevention Day. The scenario involved a magnitude 7.3 earthquake, which caused severe damage and presented the emergency services with numerous challenges.
The training covered, amongst other things, the search and rescue of people buried under rubble, the provision of medical care, the accommodation of those affected, and the coordination of the emergency services involved. Taiwan deliberately opted for a challenging exercise scenario: not every procedure was predetermined. The emergency services had to respond to new developments and continually adapt their actions to the situation.
Focus on international coordination
International teams were a key part of the exercise. Among others, emergency services personnel and experts from Turkey, the United Kingdom, South Korea and the Philippines were present on site. During the three days of training, ISAR Germany provided support, particularly in the areas of the UCC (USAR Coordination Cell) and management. The UCC plays a vital role in international USAR operations: when rescue teams from different countries arrive following a disaster, their capabilities, areas of operation and tasks must be coordinated and aligned with the relevant authorities. It is precisely this kind of collaboration that can only be prepared to a limited extent from a desk. Large-scale exercises such as the one in Taiwan offer the opportunity to test structures under realistic conditions and to pool experience from different countries.
Contacts that make a difference in the field
Alongside the actual training exercises, ISAR Germany therefore also focused on international exchange. Existing contacts were strengthened and new links forged with emergency response organisations and experts. A well-functioning network is of great importance in international disaster relief. When teams from several countries arrive within a short time following a severe earthquake, established structures and personal contacts make cooperation considerably easier. The three-day event concluded with a major final exercise. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te also visited the exercise site to observe the operations and learn first-hand about the measures taken and the cooperation between the participating agencies.
For ISAR Germany, the invitation from the National Fire Agency provided an opportunity to contribute its own experience to the exercise whilst also gaining valuable insights from Taiwan and its international partners.