To prepare for the upcoming typhoon season and enhance emergency response capabilities in the event of typhoons and other emergencies, the Environmental Protection Bureau conducted a simulation exercise today (28th) at its waste treatment facilities.
The exercise simulated a scenario where Macau was hit by a super typhoon and experienced a power outage. The Environmental Protection Bureau activated its emergency plan, working with the operating company to adjust the operation of the waste incineration center and utilize backup resources to ensure the facility's normal operation. This included simulating the incineration center proactively disconnecting from the public power grid in the event of instability, operating in an "island" mode to ensure the incineration center could continue operating even during a power outage. In addition, in response to the large amount of garbage that needed to be processed quickly after the simulated typhoon, the Environmental Protection Bureau coordinated with the incineration center to operate all incinerators at full capacity. Signs indicating garbage diversion were placed at the main entrance, and manpower was increased to coordinate vehicles entering the plant. Priority was given to processing household waste and easily perishable solid waste. Solid waste such as trees and large metal frames were diverted to the construction waste landfill area. Dedicated gates for dump trucks and cleaning companies were marked on the garbage dumping platform to increase the speed of garbage disposal. The construction waste landfill area was also opened 24 hours a day to receive and process garbage promptly.
The entire simulation exercise went smoothly. The Environmental Protection Bureau subsequently held a debriefing meeting with the operating company to review and further improve the processing procedures. The Environmental Protection Bureau hopes that the exercise will enhance the emergency response capabilities of personnel and facilities under its jurisdiction, minimizing the impact on garbage disposal work in the event of an emergency.
