The Taichung City Government today passed the "Taichung City Mountain Activities Management Self-Governance Ordinance" during a city council meeting. In the future, it will prohibit forced entry into mountains during typhoons. Otherwise, in the event of a mountain accident, the city government will charge search and rescue fees beyond insurance compensation.
The "Taichung City Mountain Activities Management Self-Governance Ordinance" was passed in the city council meeting and will be submitted to the Taichung City Council for review. Mayor Lin Chia-lung stated that this self-governance ordinance balances safety and the rights of citizens to engage in mountain activities, which is commendable, and also asked the Fire Bureau to ensure proper management.
The city government stated that in the future, when the public enters specially regulated mountain areas, they should be led by a guide with emergency rescue capabilities and be insured with comprehensive mountain insurance. It also prohibits forced entry into mountains during typhoons. Otherwise, in the event of a mountain accident, the city government may charge the public search and rescue fees beyond insurance compensation.
According to this self-governance ordinance, in the future, Taichung City will be divided into generally regulated and specially regulated mountain areas. When engaging in mountain activities in both types of areas, the public should carry communication devices such as satellite phones and radios, as well as devices with positioning functions.
If the scope of mountain activities involves specially regulated mountain areas, it should be led by a guide who possesses primary emergency rescue capabilities and holds relevant certifications such as Basic Life Support or Primary Rescue Technician. They should also be insured with comprehensive mountain insurance. Violations may result in fines ranging from NT$10,000 to NT$50,000.
The self-governance ordinance also clearly states that when the Central Weather Bureau issues a sea typhoon warning, the city government may announce regulated areas. If the public forcibly enters the mountains or delays evacuation, not only may they be fined between NT$10,000 and NT$50,000, but if an accident occurs and rescue by the Taichung City Government is required, necessary expenses such as dispatch fees, rental of rescue equipment, and vehicles exceeding insurance compensation may be charged to the rescued individuals afterward.
Since current regulations require a group of five or more people to purchase mountain activity insurance, Lin Chia-lung instructed the Fire Bureau to actively communicate and discuss amendments with the Financial Supervisory Commission to remove the five-person insurance limit and increase emergency rescue payment amounts. 1050606
(Central News Agency)