A Subordinate Detachment of the PAP Henan Corps Conducts Comprehensive Flood-Control Emergency Rescue Training
A Subordinate Detachment of the PAP Henan Corps Conducts Comprehensive Flood-Control Emergency Rescue Training——
"Boats of Life" Charge Through the Waves
■ Tong Shuai, Li Hongteng
"'Trapped civilians' spotted — move to rescue immediately!" At the turn of late summer and early autumn, in the first light of dawn, a comprehensive flood-control emergency rescue training exercise of a subordinate detachment of the People's Armed Police Henan Corps got underway as the order was issued.
At the training site, engines roared as multiple assault boats, carrying rescue personnel, charged through the waves in two columns. "Narrow waters ahead, debris floating on the surface — proceed with caution!" A contingency situation arose mid-transit.
"Form a single column, close the intervals, pass at steady speed!" The moment the commander finished speaking, flagman Liu Zihan swiftly signaled the formation adjustment. Boat operator Guan Shizhen gripped the helm tightly, maneuvering the craft steadily along the wave crests while maintaining safe spacing from the other boats, rapidly closing on the target water area.
As they neared the target area, the commander issued another order: "Reduce speed, stabilize the boats, deploy laterally, intensify the search!" The flagman simultaneously relayed the signal in flag semaphore, and each boat adjusted its formation in an orderly manner to begin the search-and-rescue sweep.
"'Trapped civilians' found on a small island to the northeast — close in and moor for rescue!" After boat number one spotted the target, it quickly adjusted course and slowly approached the shallows. As it neared the island, the boat operator precisely controlled the speed and brought the craft smoothly to shore. Rescue team member Zhang Haozhe leapt ashore and organized the "trapped civilians" to board the boat. Another rescue team member, Zhong Qingxing, stood at the side of the boat and helped the "trapped civilians" put on their life jackets. Once everyone had boarded, boat number one applied full power and headed for a safe area.
"Since the flood season began, extreme weather has occurred frequently in multiple surrounding areas, and the flood-control and flood-fighting situation is severe and complex," said Staff Officer Jin of the detachment's operations and training section. To effectively improve the unit's capability to carry out flood-fighting and emergency rescue missions, they have organized comprehensive flood-control emergency rescue training exercises on multiple occasions based on the characteristics of the mission, setting up targeted subjects such as searching for and evacuating civilians, emergency transport of critical supplies, and construction of flood-control embankments, so as to comprehensively temper the officers and soldiers' core emergency rescue skills.
"A civilian has fallen into the water in the downstream area — organize a search and rescue immediately!" Just as one group of "trapped civilians" had been evacuated, another contingency situation arose. The commander immediately issued a deployment order: "Boat number one conducts a frontal rescue; boat number two flanks and maneuvers around!" The two boats then moved off separately and took up precise positions. The instant they drew close to the "person in the water," rescue team member Zuo Wen swiftly threw out a life ring while boat operator Liang Di cut the throttle and killed the engine to prevent the propeller from injuring anyone. Zuo Wen and his comrades coordinated closely and together pulled the "person in the water" onto the boat.
Detachment leaders noted that this training exercise also included subjects such as casualty evacuation and on-site first aid. Through repeated rigorous drilling and tempering, the officers and soldiers effectively remedied their capability shortfalls, and their emergency response capacity for flood control and disaster relief was significantly enhanced.