Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

As the year draws to a close and the new year begins, households are busy preparing for the festivities and welcoming the Year of the Horse. During these warm moments of family reunions, the Taipei City Fire Department’s 119 Emergency Dispatch Center remains on duty 24/7 to safeguard the city. The 119 emergency hotline is the first line of defense for citizen safety. To ensure that rescue resources are precisely utilized during critical moments, the public is urged to cherish 119 firefighting resources and leave them for those who need them most. Malicious harassment or false reports will be penalized according to the "Fire Services Act," with fines up to NT$50,000.

According to statistics, the Taipei City Fire Department received 342,965 calls in 2025, averaging approximately 940 calls per day. These included 4,831 fire incidents, 132,193 emergency medical services (EMS) cases, and 12,078 other types of cases. The 119 Emergency Dispatch Center handles a massive volume of reports daily; if individuals make prank calls or falsely report fires or disasters, it not only wastes precious resources but also potentially delays the rescue of those in life-threatening situations.

The Taipei City Fire Department emphasizes that, according to Article 36 of the Fire Services Act, anyone who makes a false report of a fire, explosion, disaster, or emergency rescue, or who calls the 119 hotline without cause and refuses to stop after being asked, shall be fined a maximum of NT$50,000. This is to ensure the effective operation of the emergency reporting system.

As the use of fire and electricity increases during the Lunar New Year, extra attention should be paid to home fire safety. In the event of an emergency, please remain calm when calling 119 and follow the dispatcher's guidance and questions. Providing precise information ensures that emergency vehicles can navigate through holiday traffic and reach the scene more accurately. We hereby present the 'Emergency Reporting Safety Charm'—master these four steps to ensure a precise connection with rescue resources::

1. Location: Provide a clear address or identifiable landmarks.

2. Cause of Incident: State whether it is a fire, medical emergency, or other disaster.

3. On-site Situation: Describe the scale of the incident, such as the floor number or the number of people injured.

4. Contact Information: Leave your name and phone number so dispatchers can follow up if necessary.

The Taipei City Fire Department issues a final appeal: 'Every bit of resource cherished is an extra layer of protection.' We urge everyone to maintain our emergency resources together, leaving life-saving opportunities for those in the most urgent need. Let 119 be the strongest force safeguarding the safety of Taipei as we join hands to create a harmonious Taipei living environment. May the new year bring peace and well-being to your family as we protect every moment of reunion and joy together. Happy Year of the Horse!