30,000 to be recruited for national emergency response

More than half the positions will be open to members of the public

China will recruit 30,000 firefighters for its newly created China Fire and Rescue Team under the Ministry of Emergency Management in its latest effort to reform the national rescue force and minimize the cost of accidents and natural disasters.

Liu Kehui, who is in charge of the ministry's training division, said 18,000 of the 30,000 positions would be open to the public. The rest of the positions will be taken by former firefighters who meet the eased age criteria.