The central government acted in concert with the Taipei and New Taipei city governments immediately after Wednesday's TransAsia Airways plane crash to set up emergency command centers and coordinate search and rescue operations, the Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun said today in response to criticism that central authorities had been slow in its response.
Premier Mao Chi-kuo also instructed all agencies involved to provide every possible assistance to the families of the victims, Sun said.
The spokesman explained that Article 3 of the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act designates the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) as the central regulation authority for handling airplane crashes. The act further authorizes the MOTC to draw up an aviation disaster prevention and protection operation plan.
According to this plan, if an aviation disaster occurs on land outside of an airport, the local government having jurisdiction over the crash site shall activate an emergency response mechanism and establish a disaster response center or emergency task force. It shall also gather evidence and information about the accident, notify appropriate parties to take necessary response measures, conduct rescue operations, and assist the Aviation Safety Council in investigating the accident's causes.
Under this framework, therefore, the responsibility of front-line search and rescue work falls upon the local governments. This standard operating procedure for disaster response is familiar to all levels of government, and one that has worked well in the past, Sun said.
After the TransAsia crash, the central and local governments performed their respective duties—the former coordinating efforts and resources across ministries and the latter overseeing front-line operations. At the central level, MOTC minister Chen Jian-yu took command of the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) and promptly dispatched Civil Aeronautics Administration Deputy Director-General Lee Wan-lee to coordinate rescue efforts on the scene. Chen also worked closely with the commanders of the local emergency operations centers to maximize the government's efficiency.
The CEOC mobilized search and rescue personnel (from the Armed Forces, Coast Guard Administration, National Airborne Service Corps and firefighting units) to help handle the aircraft wreckage and identify the remains of the deceased. It also set up a joint services center with service windows in both Taipei and Kinmen in order to assist families of the departed deal with aftermath-related affairs.
Together the central and local governments have built a complete and comprehensive command and operational framework, the spokesperson said. Premier Mao and Vice Premier Chang San-cheng have been visiting the emergency operation center for updates.
The Taipei, New Taipei and central governments have given their all to the relief effort, Sun said. The Taipei City Government has mobilized a large quantity of personnel and resources while the New Taipei City Government has proactively provided assistance. The central government also devoted the full strength of the military, National Fire Agency, MOTC and airborne service corps promptly after the crash.
The premier has expressed his highest respect and gratitude to those braving the cold weather to engage in search operations as well as all other personnel assigned to work on the crash aftermath, including staff of the MOTC, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health and Welfare.