Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 433 - 305: With History and Tradition_2

Vice Director Jing nodded, not saying anything more.

The joint drill ended, and the troops were recalled with a ceremonial gong.

In the aftermath tasks such as draining water and rolling up hoses, the firefighters from the direct brigade’s first team once again displayed their solid military discipline.

But in the event of a major fire, whether it is the public concern or the scrutiny of superiors, the only thing that matters is the result—that is, whether the fire was contained and extinguished promptly. They wouldn’t pay attention to these details.

Song Jiwei felt particularly heavy-hearted. He didn’t eat the lunch prepared by the oil company and instead proposed to visit the Water Fire Rescue Team.

Firefighting, especially fire suppression, is different from solving crimes.

Once there’s a major fire, it might necessitate the mobilization of all available forces.

If there’s a significant vessel fire on the river, both the Port Supervision Bureau and the Changhang Bureau would certainly need the support of the Fire Brigade. Similarly, if a major fire occurs elsewhere, the Fire Brigade would need the assistance of the Changhang Bureau Water Fire Rescue Team.

It is essential for each party to understand each other. If they don’t know and are not familiar with each other, how can they cooperate in the future?

Moreover, Song Jiwei’s attitude was very serious. It was almost clear that he no longer believed in the idea that "two tigers cannot share a mountain." Naturally, Zhang Junyan wouldn’t miss this opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the City Bureau Fire Department. He enthusiastically invited Vice Director Jing and Song Jiwei for a visit, accompanied by Han Yu and Fang Guoya.

You never know until you see it. After the visit, Vice Director Jing and Song Jiwei were extremely surprised.

The warehouse of the Changhang Bureau Water Fire Rescue Team looked like a complete FAW repair factory, with two large vehicle storage spaces filled with tools for maintenance and the making of firefighting equipment. On the ground, there were even three pits dug about two meters deep and more than five meters long for vehicle maintenance.

The yard resembled a training ground for a driver training school, with white lines on the ground and red and white striped poles clearly indicating marks for learning how to park sideways and transfer stocks.

After having a simple lunch with the Water Firefighting Team, Song Jiwei made up his mind to visit the Bailong Port team as well.

Zhang Junyan didn’t have time to accompany them, so Deputy Director Jiang and Director Tong joined the visit.

They hurriedly arrived at Bailong Port and walked up the steel floating bridge onto the dunship, finally seeing the 001 berthed on the outside of a giant water platform.

With Han Yu’s introduction, they toured the 001’s firefighting, rescue, communication, depth sounder, and radar equipment, as well as the dunship itself.

Unexpectedly, the dunship also served as a waterborne maintenance platform, with a toolbox for everything down in the cabin below the deck!

"Captain, it seems that you place a great emphasis on maintenance skills."

"Anyone who operates a boat must be able to repair it, at least handle some common malfunctions."

"That means those who drive must also be able to repair their vehicles, and those who operate firefighting equipment must also be able to maintain and repair their gear."

"It’s our tradition."

"Isn’t your firefighting team a new setup?"

"Our Water Firefighting Team is indeed newly established, but our dunship has already been in service for nearly seven years, and 001 even longer. It was built in 1963 in East Sea Port. If it wasn’t well maintained, it wouldn’t still be in use today."

Han Yu smiled faintly and pointed to the "ancient relic" in front of them: "This floating pier has an even longer history. It was constructed in the early years of the Republic of China and it’s a miracle that it’s still in use today. It’s a pity there is no museum in China for this, otherwise after it’s retired, it could be displayed in a museum to show the history of modern Chinese shipbuilding."

As they were talking, the Bai Liu passenger ship slowly sailed past from the direction of Bailong Port Passenger Pier.

The captain saw Han Yu on the dunship and signaled the helmsman to sound the ship’s whistle.

An onboard police was just patrolling on the third deck’s port side and also saw Han Yu from afar.

When leaving the pier, it was customary to salute Director Liu and Director Jiang as a farewell. Similarly, leaving the vicinity of the dunship, they traditionally sound their whistles and salute as a way of saying goodbye.

Han Yu straightened his police uniform and returned the salute to the passenger ship.

The scene before him made Song Jiwei involuntarily recall something former subordinate Fang Guoya had once mentioned. He asked in a low voice, "Xiao Han, your fire and rescue boat is moored over here, and you’ve been stationed here for a long time. Is it because you are considering the fire safety of the passenger ships and the passenger pier?"

"There are also two ferry services."

While inviting the leader of the Binjiang Fire Brigade to the second floor command and dispatch room, Han Yu added with a smile, "In fact, we need to consider not only firefighting but also the security in the North Branch Waters, the safety of maritime traffic in the North Branch Channel, and even emergency rescue and disaster relief."

The first-floor duty room is full of silk banners.

There are even more silk banners hanging in the conference room and command and dispatch room on the second floor.

Several of these banners were given by the owners of ships that had caught fire and the shipping enterprises they belonged to, with the earliest traceable to six years ago.

Looking at the plaque above the map of the Yangtze River waterfront that reads "First Post of the Yangtze River," Song Jiwei lamented, "Xiao Han, I always thought your Water Firefighting Team was newly formed. Now I realize that I, as a Fire Brigade commander, have not been fulfilling my role. You’ve been involved in water firefighting for nearly seven years, fought so many marine fires, and I was completely clueless."

Getting affirmation from the person before him was no easy feat, and Han Yu hurriedly said, "Director Song, here at Binjiang, despite being near water, we are not close to the water. Apart from a few law enforcement units and port and shipping enterprises involved with the river, almost no one cares about what happens on the river. It’s like there are two different worlds, the river and the shore. Having stayed on the ship for so long, I’m somewhat out of touch with the shore, so it’s quite normal that you didn’t know about us before."

Whether it’s the previous Linghai Police Station Water Police Team or even the earlier Linghai Police Station Yanjiang, firefighting was not under their jurisdiction, and yet they have been handling it for nearly seven years!

Thinking further about how they not only managed firefighting but also handled many other matters that were not originally their responsibility, Song Jiwei finally understood why the leaders of several major Shijiang organizations held this young man in such high regard. He couldn’t help but pat Han Yu on the arm: "Xiao Han, in the future, our departments need to interact more, we can’t be like before, never crossing paths."

"I couldn’t agree more."

"Also, your equipment is more complete than ours. If you have no objections, starting tomorrow, join us for combat readiness duty. Whenever there’s a fire in the city or Linghai, our Command Center will request your participation in the firefighting effort."

Only through real combat can one have fighting power.

Han Yu had long wanted to train through real combat and had also taken the initiative to offer help to the "regular forces" in responding to emergencies.

However, the Water Firefighting Team was treated as a non-entity; although verbal agreements were made, and their radio was integrated into the command network, they’ve never received an actual dispatch order from the Water Firefighting Team in the two months past.

Now that Director Song has spoken, it can be seen as a form of recognition for the Water Firefighting Team. Han Yu eagerly said, "Please rest assured, Director Song. Although we may not be very professional, we will do our utmost to fulfill the tasks set by the Command Center."

"Thank you."

"It’s what we should do. After all, if a major fire breaks out in our jurisdiction, we couldn’t do without your support."

"Great, from now on, let’s support each other!"

Song Jiwei laughed heartily, then swiftly changed the topic, "There’s another matter. There were too many people in the city earlier, I didn’t feel comfortable bringing it up. Our brigade has two officers who will be transitioning to a civilian career this year, and an old soldier who is demobilizing; they all want to stay in Binjiang. Though you’re younger than me, you’re better connected. Could you give us a hand?"

The Water Firefighting Team really is short-handed now.

Compared to new recruits who know nothing, of course, Han Yu would prefer some experienced firefighters. Without hesitation, he replied, "Boss Fang has mentioned it to me, and I’ve also approached the port authority leaders. They said there are placement tasks every year, and as long as they’re on the list for military transition, there shouldn’t be any problem."

"What about the demobilized volunteers?"

"The same."

"Thank you so much. If this is settled, I’ll treat you to a meal. No, even if it’s not settled, I still owe you a meal."

"Director Song, you’re too kind. Actually, I should be thanking you for sending us core business personnel." freēwēbηovel.c૦m

It’s rare for him to come to Bailong Port, and it’s rare to have a private chat with the well-connected "local tyrant" in front of him. Song Jiwei became interested and picked up the satellite phone on the command desk to have a look, laughing as he said:

"Iron camps and flowing soldiers; our brigade has officers transferring out almost every year. How many can your bureau actually place? In the future, I’ll need your help to approach the back doors of the Port Supervision Bureau, Customs, and the Fishery Administration."

Han Yu was made to laugh and cry: "Director Song, you think too highly of me!"

Song Jiwei grew serious: "I’m not joking with you, I’m serious."

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