The Taichung City Fire Bureau’s newly developed GPS positioning assistance system proved miraculous. On New Year’s Day, two hikers in Taichung lost their way while descending Hengling Mountain in Heping District. Upon receiving the report, the fire bureau immediately activated the GPS positioning system to locate the callers and successfully found the missing hikers within just two hours. The bureau stated that hikers carrying mobile phones can use the phone’s GPS function to provide reference locations for rescuers, reducing search difficulties.
The bureau explained that it has developed a GPS positioning feedback system, where the Disaster Relief and Ambulance Command Center sends an SMS containing the caller’s phone number and a link to the positioning assistance system. By clicking the link—as long as there is a stable network signal—the system automatically transmits the user’s location coordinates, enabling rescuers to quickly reach the exact spot and carry out a successful rescue.
The bureau also recommends that the public join Line to stay in touch with rescue centers at all times. By tapping “Send Location,” coordinates can be automatically transmitted. In case of getting lost without network access, if the phone has a GPS app, it can still determine the current coordinates as a reference for search and rescue efforts.
Fire Bureau Chief Hsiao Huan-chang said that hikers who get lost in the mountains can call 119 for help. The Disaster Relief and Ambulance Command Center will immediately send a positioning assistance system SMS based on the caller’s phone number. He urged the public to hike with companions familiar with the route and to carry adequate lighting, water, food, rain gear, mobile phones or radios, and whistles.
(China Times)