Natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and floods are a frequent reality in Taiwan, making disaster preparedness a national priority. On August 30–31, the Taiwan Red Cross hosted the 13th Disaster Relief Volunteer Training Course of 2024. A total of 90 participants joined—the largest group this year—including 50 residents from Kanting Village, Tamsui District, New Taipei City.

Mobilized by Village Chief Ting-yue Wu, Kanting residents demonstrated strong community spirit. With more than 18,000 households and nearly 33,000 residents, Kanting is one of the city’s fastest-growing areas, and its relatively young population shows strong potential in disaster resilience. Many trainees are already active volunteers in patrol teams and environmental groups, some with medical backgrounds. Chief Wu expressed hope that the training would enable residents to transform their everyday community service into frontline protection during emergencies.

The program also drew participants from diverse professional fields. Ms. Huang, with experience in civil defense planning, emphasized that disaster preparedness remains crucial regardless of one’s profession. Ms. Liu, a legal professional, noted that preparedness is not only self-protection but also a way to help others. Educator Ms. Fu highlighted the need for more systematic training beyond annual CPR and AED refreshers.

Associate Professor Hsin-yu Shan, one of the instructors, reminded participants: “When disaster strikes, no one is an outsider.” He stressed that community self-help and mutual aid are key to saving lives, citing research that 90% of rescues in major disasters come from citizens themselves.

As a designated training institution of the National Fire Agency, the Taiwan Red Cross is committed to cultivating Disaster Relief Volunteers as “seeds” within communities—equipped to share knowledge in normal times and step forward in crises. By expanding these efforts, the Red Cross aims to strengthen Taiwan’s resilience and ensure safety across neighborhoods.