What they say

Editor's Note: Communist Party of China members who work in emergency management met journalists and answered questions about ensuring safety and braving dangers to save lives.

During the

COVID-19 epidemic that hit

Wuhan last year, my comrades and I worked day and night, helping to transform the medical waste disposal system and guaranteeing the operation of local hospitals. No one is born a hero. Facing the risks and dangers, however, we are the ones that should take responsibility for the safety of the public. It is our mission, and it should never be forgotten.

Chen Jian, assistant station chief and member of a special service team at No 1 station, part of the Hubei Provincial Fire and Rescue Corps’ Wuhan branch

I’ve participated in several mine rescues in the past years. A note that was sent by a group of miners that was trapped 600 meters underground in an accident impressed me most. In the note, the workers asked for a mobile phone to keep in touch with the Party. In their life or death situation, they trusted the Party most with all their hopes. As a Party member, I will continue to fulfill my mission and always keep the people and my duty in mind.

Xiao Wenru, deputy director and chief engineer at the National Work Safety Emergency Rescue Center in Beijing

China’s seismic monitoring has seen significant improvement in the past decades. However, seismic monitoring is not an eye-catching subject, as it takes time to achieve a technological breakthrough. As a Party member, we should fulfill our duties for the people no matter what. Only with determination and belief can achievements be made. Science, regardless of popularity, will need someone to explore it.

Jiang Haikun, member of the China Earthquake Network Center’s Party committee in Beijing

Many people think emergency management work, with its high risks and great challenges

— both physically and psychologically — should be done by men. My performance has refuted such a stereotype. For me, the greatest encouragement is the trust and recognition from the public whenever we successfully act to reduce the loss of life and property. At night, the lights in the houses of families make me feel at peace, as I know that people are safe at that moment.

Han Yijin, member of the Yiling district emergency management bureau’s Party committee in Yichang, Hubei province

The Qiqian squad safeguards China’s far north border. Although we are working in a harsh environment with extreme cold weather in the winter, the challenges we face also give us more opportunity to make achievements. In recent years, we have added helicopters and firefighting armored vehicles to better support our work. As a Party member, I will continue efforts to safeguard northern China’s ‘green wall’.

Wang Depeng, Party branch secretary of the Qiqian squad, part of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region’s Forest Fire Corps’ Greater Hinggan Mountains branch