Under the blazing sun, the sweltering heat did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the elderly residents attending the disaster preparedness workshop. The venue was packed to capacity, reflecting the community’s strong participation and solidarity.

Before the session began, lecturer Hsueh-Cheng Lü walked among the attendees, warmly greeting them and engaging in friendly conversations. This thoughtful interaction helped break the ice, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that set the tone for an engaging and lively workshop.

The event opened with Yisheng Village Chief Hsiao-Chen Wang, who played an essential role throughout the session. In her opening remarks, she warmly welcomed the participants and shared first-hand experiences of disaster response and insights into the community’s emergency capacities. Her contribution allowed the lecturer to better understand the actual challenges Yisheng Village faces during disasters, making the lecture content more practical and relevant to residents’ lives.

Following the Village Chief’s remarks, lecturer Lü officially began the session, guiding participants through key disaster preparedness knowledge and response strategies to strengthen community resilience. To create a deeper connection, he shared a recent real-life example: the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Hualien on April 3, 2024. During this disaster, the Tianwangxing Building tilted, several structures were damaged, and many residents were injured or displaced. Zhonghua Elementary School was quickly activated as an evacuation shelter, and Lü used this case to explain how shelters operate, including ensuring safety and providing sufficient food and resources.

To make the session more relevant, Lü asked Village Chief Wang about the current capacity of Yisheng Village’s evacuation shelter and its food stockpiles. Chief Wang provided detailed information, demonstrating her careful planning and commitment to disaster preparedness. Residents gained a clearer understanding of their community’s readiness in the face of potential emergencies.

Later, Lü presented data on rainfall and landslide disaster history in the Heliu Tribe of Fuxing District. The records showed that after the government issued a red alert and ordered evacuations, a disaster struck just two hours later. Fortunately, local residents had already begun evacuating when the yellow alert was issued, successfully avoiding greater casualties. This case highlighted the importance of proactive disaster awareness and taking early action, leaving a strong impression on the attendees: being prepared and acting swiftly is the best way to stay safe.

To conclude the workshop, participants took part in a tabletop group discussion exercise to simulate the formation of disaster response teams and assign roles during emergencies. Each group shared its proposed team list, and the elderly participants showed both humor and thoughtfulness in their choices. The activity not only encouraged residents to reflect on their potential roles during disasters but also helped the Village Chief better understand their perspectives on suitable candidates. These insights will contribute to more effective planning and coordination of community resources for future disaster preparedness.