Preface: As the typhoon season approaches, the Macau government is stepping up its disaster prevention efforts. The Civil Protection Framework is scheduled to hold the annual typhoon civil defense exercise, codenamed "Crystal Fish 2023," on April 22, 2023.
To support the "Crystal Fish 2023" civil defense exercise, the Macau subsidiary formed a professional testing team. Over a period of two weeks, the team carried out thorough testing on the Emergency Command Application Platform system. Through well-defined roles and coordinated efforts, the team completed the testing of new feature, maintenance tasks, and patch management with high quality. Their efforts ensured the smooth progress of the exercise and showcases the excellence and reliability of the company's products to customers and citizens.
The "Crystal Fish 2023" annual typhoon exercise included various operations during the initial period of the Civil Protection Framework, evacuation operations in low-lying areas, and specialized drills in response to emergencies. The exercise was presided over by the Secretary for Security and Joint Action Commander, Wong Sio Chak. Joining him were evacuation operations, the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service and Assistant Joint Action Commander, and Huang Wen Zhong, the Director-General of the Macau Customs Service, along with representatives from various civil defense departments. Colonel Liu Huan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Garrison in Macau, provided guidance throughout the exercise. Mr. Chui Hiu Yip, Deputy Commissioner of the Hong Kong Security Bureau, led a delegation from Hong Kong to Macau for observation and exchange, aiming to promote communication and cooperation in emergency rescue between the two regions. The exercise also saw participation from members of the neighborhood civil defense liaison mechanism, civil defense volunteers, and local residents. Their involvement was crucial in preparing for the upcoming typhoon season and ensuring effective response.
The exercise simulated the severe flooding in low-lying areas caused by the super typhoon "Crystal Fish 2023" on the Macau region. Through a series of emergency rescue drills such as handling traffic accidents during the typhoon, emergency rescue of landslide incidents, search and rescue with police dogs, water rescue operations, clearing main roads, crisis negotiations, etc., local residents have enhanced their awareness of emergency response. These drills helped establish an emergency rescue knowledge system among residents. They become acquainted with evacuation routes and safety measures. Additionally, various executing departments have become more familiar with emergency operating procedures and reviewed their reporting mechanisms and rescue plans.
The “Crystal Fish 2023” drill lasted 4.5 hours and simulated a total of 50 common typhoon-related incidents. It engaged participants from various civil defense departments, 52 civilian organizations, and all non-higher education schools in Macau, totaling over 2,300 individuals. Moreover, over 3,000 households participated in evacuation and relocation activities. The test results for the Emergency Command Application Platform were promising, with all functional indicators of the Emergency Command Application Platform meeting expectations. The Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak affirmed the enhanced features of the system and emphasized his ongoing commitment to its operation and maintenance. He expressed confidence in the Emergency Command Application Platform to play a pivotal role in emergency management in Macau.
On the day of the drill, Du Peng, General Manager of the Macau subsidiary, was present to cheer on the team. He engaged in discussions with clients to explore further improvements of the project, and laid the groundwork for expanding market opportunities for both the Macau and Hong Kong subsidiaries. Looking ahead, our team will remain committed to improving the system. We are determined to deliver superior services and comprehensive protection, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Macau government and its citizens.
Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak was delivering a speech at the “emergency application system” center.