Professionalize fire department ...

As a special occupation that requires skills and expertise, the fire department should be professionalized. This will make firefighters more efficient, reduce material losses and keep casualties to the minimum. The professionalization process should be gradual, though. It can start with pilot projects in some cities, and should be extended nationwide only after fulfilling all the requirements.

Firefighters in China are more vulnerable than their counterparts in advanced countries because fire brigades don't have enough staff and most of them lack special skills. And there are not enough firefighters because the low salaries they get don't attract youths.

The deaths of 20 firefighters in a big fire in Hengyang, Hunan province, in 2003 triggered a nationwide call for the professionalization of the fire department. But no proper reform has been implemented.