China Fire Bulletin Issue #1 June 2014 | Page 32

LEADERSHIP 领导力 Guangyuan (Sichuan) fire fighters rescued the flood victims. What’s more, it could damage the adjacent river, create water system change and destroy the ecological balance. CFB: In years of flood response, how did fire departments play a role in it? Fu: There is no denying that the PLA and Chinese Armed Police Force played a vital role in flood responses and rescues. 1998 Yangtze River floods is a hard evidence. Lacking professional tools and training, they made limited progress in rescue efficiency. With 0.13 million fire fighters, fire departments have stepped up to take more responsibilities in years of flood-fighting rescues, due to their extensive rescue experience and solid daily training. Taking Sichuan Province as an example, in June and July 2013, the province sustained heavy rainfall, 39 counties in 9 32 CHINA FIRE BULLETIN 消防前沿 cities suffered flooding and mudslides, 0.72 million people were effected. The provincial fire department initiated a flood SOP to give full play to professionalism of saving life. As of early July, 5,674 fire fighters were dispatched on mission; 4,352 rescues were made; 9,534 residents were transferred to a safer place; 34.4 million yuan property was protected. CFB: What are the shortcomings? Fu: With the expansion of fire departments’ functions, fire fighters had accumulated a lot of front-line experience and local governments have purchased a lot water rescue equipment to enhance rescue efficiency. Unfortunately, it still can not meet practical requirement. 【 Major problems: 】 —Lack of flood theoretical knowledge —Lack of exercise —Lack of water rescue experience —Lack of rescue equipment —Incomplete SOPs —Incomplete rescue allia