How to be prepared for disasters - Taipei Times

As Typhoon Bavi approached Taiwan with considerable force, the Taipei City Government announced a suspension of work and classes on Thursday.

However, the actual wind and rain the following day were far less severe than expected.

In response to the backlash, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) did not say whether the decision would be reviewed or reassessed.

Instead, he argued that Taiwan's disaster prevention mindset needs to be adjusted, emphasizing the traditional principle of overestimating the enemy and being strict in defense and designating Friday's work and school suspension as a "typhoon preparedness day."

There is nothing wrong with taking a cautious approach to disaster prevention. Natural disasters are highly unpredictable, and local governments have a responsibility to err on the side of caution for the sake of public safety. However, a mature government must not only have the courage to make difficult decisions, but also accept responsibility for the consequences.

When there is a discrepancy between forecasts and actual conditions, honestly explaining the basis for the decision and acknowledging that there is room for improvement does far more to earn public trust than redefining the policy's objective after the fact.

Even more thought-provoking is this: If suspending work and classes was truly intended to serve as a "typhoon preparedness day," has the government established a corresponding culture of public disaster preparedness?

The answer is likely no. On the day of the suspension, shopping malls and KTV (karaoke) venues were packed with people, while long lines formed at high-speed rail stations as many chose to go shopping or return to their hometowns rather than stay indoors to secure their homes, fasten outdoor fixtures or prepare emergency supplies.

This is not simply a matter of the public lacking risk awareness. Rather, it reflects the government's longstanding failure to clearly link work and school closures with the broader concept of community disaster preparedness.

Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the city government's after-the-fact introduction of the concept of a "typhoon preparedness day" has done little to change long-standing public perceptions in such a short time.

A culture of disaster prevention cannot be established through slogans alone — it requires long-term public education and institutional support so that the public understands a work and school suspension is not simply an extra day off, but an extra day to prepare for an approaching disaster.

Furthermore, a genuine disaster prevention mindset should be reflected in daily governance. Whether drainage ditches are regularly dredged, stormwater systems are properly maintained, pumping stations are fully prepared, flood-prone areas continue to be upgraded and hazardous trees are routinely inspected — these are fundamental tasks for reducing the risk of disaster. If insufficient resources are invested in these areas during normal times, then relying on work and school suspensions to reduce the risks of approaching typhoons would amount to little more than a last resort, rather than a comprehensive approach to disaster management.

Every natural disaster is a test of a city's governance capabilities.

Governments do not need to make perfectly accurate decisions 100 percent of the time, but they must have the courage to acknowledge their errors and the ability to learn from each experience to improve existing systems.

Rather than repeatedly insisting that their decisions were flawless, what society expects is a government willing to review its actions, make improvements and work with the public to build a culture of disaster prevention.

What truly needs adjustment is not only Taiwan's disaster prevention mindset, but also the government's attitude toward making mistakes and its commitment to establishing nationwide public disaster awareness.

Only by collectively fostering a culture of disaster preparedness can work and school suspensions truly fulfill their purpose of reducing disaster risks, rather than becoming an annual political flashpoint over whether people deserve a day off.

Elliot Yao is a reviewer.

Translated by Kyra Gustavsen