Coping with communication challenges after the Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion

Abstract

The Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion (FFCDE) occurred on 27 June 2015. It is the largest man-made disaster in Taiwan’s history. The paper explores how participating actors dealt with the communication challenges to rescue 499 burn victims from the disaster scene and provide resuscitation and life support for mass burn casualties in hospitals following the FFCDE. Data collection was via review of government reports and journal publications as well as in-depth individual interviews with 36 key participants in this event. Technological communication issues and human related communication issues were identified. The analysis reveals that the remodel of local incident command post at the disaster scene improved the difficulties caused by inadequate communications, and hospital staff’ resilience to adapt was based on anticipation in the face of uncertainty and on coordination across roles and units to keep pace with the time varying demands.