Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Reconstruction of Tongluo Fire Station in Miaoli County; Magistrate Chung Tung-pin Expresses Hope for Smooth Completion

The office building of the Tongluo Substation, First Rescue Battalion, Miaoli County Government Fire Bureau, has been in service for over 40 years. To improve outdated facilities and inadequate space, the county government secured NT$108 million from central funding and contributed an additional NT$12 million for reconstruction. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 24, where Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-pin performed the ceremonial ground-breaking and offered incense prayers for a safe and smooth construction process, with full operation expected by 2038.

Fire Bureau Chief Kuan Meng-lin stated that since Magistrate Chung took office, he has prioritized improving office and dormitory conditions for firefighters. The current Tongluo station is not only outdated but also unable to meet modern operational demands. Currently housing 16 personnel and six fire vehicles, future needs driven by industrial development in Tongluo and increasingly diverse disaster types will require expanded manpower, vehicles, and specialized rescue equipment. Thus, a total budget of NT$120 million has been allocated for this upgrade project.

On September 24, Magistrate Chung Tung-pin, along with Deputy Minister Wu Tang-an of the Ministry of the Interior, legislators Lo Kuei-hsing, Cheng Pi-yu, Li Shang-an, Huang Fang-chun, Director of Legislator Chen Chao-ming’s team, Secretary to Speaker Li Wen-bin, Secretary to Councilor Chen Pin-an, Shih-tan Township Mayor Liu Shu-neng, Ta-hu Township Mayor Huang Hui-chin, Tongluo Township Office Secretary, Tongluo Township Council Chairman Lin Jiu-chen, and other local representatives participated in the groundbreaking and offered prayers for safety during construction and operations.

Chief Kuan explained that thanks to land allocation by the Directorate General of Land Administration, the new facility will be a four-story building capable of accommodating up to 38 firefighters. It will include 11 additional dormitory rooms and be reconfigured according to modern firefighting operational needs. Vehicle entry, exit, and parking layouts will be optimized, while office, standby, and living spaces for personnel will be expanded. The improved environment will better support disaster response equipment readiness, significantly enhancing overall firefighting efficiency.

Deputy Minister Wu Tang-an noted that due to Miaoli County’s financial constraints, which limit its ability to match investments made by other counties, the central government provided NT$108 million—90% of the total cost. This follows previous subsidies for new police station construction. He affirmed that as long as requests are supported by the county magistrate and submitted to the Ministry of the Interior, the central government will assess needs and provide assistance. He expressed confidence that under Magistrate Chung’s leadership, the project will be completed on schedule, and all future proposals from Miaoli County will be approved.

Magistrate Chung emphasized that firefighters must remain on duty 24 hours a day, so their working environment must allow for proper rest and mental readiness. This ensures both personal safety and professional performance during emergencies. With many international companies establishing operations in the Tongluo Science Park, there is a growing need to enhance emergency medical services and disaster response capacity. He pledged to strengthen staffing levels and train more Advanced Paramedics to reinforce emergency capabilities, expressing hope for the successful completion of the project to provide firefighters with improved office, operational, and rest environments.