East Asian fire safety and emergency training initiatives

Fire departments and safety organizations across East Asia have implemented various programs to enhance emergency preparedness and public awareness.

In Taiwan and Hong Kong, efforts have focused on residential and building safety. The Jieshou Fire Brigade in Taiwan has partnered with the Family Link Foundation to promote residential smoke alarm usage and maintenance. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department is executing the ‘Building Emergency Pioneer Scheme’ to train property management and security staff, with a goal of 50,000 participants by 2027. The department is also introducing a ‘Building Emergency Preparedness Charter’ and a ‘Code of Conduct Charter’ for fire service installation contractors to improve professional standards.

In China and Japan, initiatives have shifted toward community outreach and inter-departmental coordination. In Yantai, China, the High-tech Zone Fire Rescue Detachment has utilized VR escape simulations and drills to teach fire safety to students. In Japan’s Shimane Prefecture, fire departments from the Hamada and Masuda districts conducted joint large-scale fire simulations to improve water discharge and rescue coordination between headquarters.