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Semiconductor fabs often use a large variety of gases and chemicals while clean rooms tend to be large, enclosed spaces, leading to higher risk of fires. Fire prevention measures used in these facilities also differ from those traditionally employed. In April 1999, UMC established a high tech Fire Brigade under the Group Risk Management & Environmental, Safety and Health Division, making us the only electronics company with a dedicated fire brigade in Taiwan. The Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) Fire Brigade of UMC was officially founded in 2013, which is responsible for safeguarding and performing emergency rescues within the STSP plant sites.

Fire fighters in the Brigade serve 2-year terms. 2023 was the 24th year for the UMC fire brigade. Personnel composition included 12 full-time fire fighters and 100 members delegated to specific tasks. Most fire fighters and members of the brigade hold Master's degrees and are skilled in semiconductor processes, making the UMC Fire Brigade the best educated firefighting team in Taiwan. We have trained hundreds of fire fighters who still work at UMC and still contribute their skills in emergency response.

Training themes focus on basic orientation training for new recruits which would then be followed by strategy and tactical training. Every new member must undergo professional disaster relief training and examination which would include professional disaster rescue for simulated fires and response skills to oxidation disasters. In order to improve and maintain firefighting skills and professional competencies of Brigade members, practical training and exercises were carried out regularly every month in order to improve disaster response abilities. During their term in the UMC Fire Brigade, members will participate in both organizational and external rescue missions.

UMC also organizes emergency response training for the entire company to educate and improve employees’ knowledge of safety, protection, and emergency response skills. Practical exercises and examinations including various training courses, building safety evacuation drills, and unannounced day-time / night-time / theme-based fire drills were implemented to establish the concepts of fire prevention, fire safety, and disaster response within the minds of every employee, at the same time employees can gain valuable experience.

In 2019, foreign employees received firefighting training. Foreign employees are required to receive the same training as local employees and asked to retrain after 6 years to increase the basic contingency response ability of foreign employees.

In addition, the Company organizes an ERT Competition from time to time to enhance employee contingency response ability through positive exchanges and competitions.

Evaluation Drills

Equipment Handling Instruction

Notification Alarm Drills

Chemical Disaster Handling

Firefighting Demo

Descent Device Operation

UMC Fire Brigade also hold many education activities for communities and students to enhance their awareness of the disaster prevention.

UMC Fire Brigade has participated in the Joint Prevention Mechanism of Public Safety in the Science Park, and held many disasters prevention and rescue drills with authorities. Besides, We also assistance neighboring factories and communities in responding to accidents and disasters and participating in disaster relief.