What they say

Editor's Note: The State Council Information Office invited representatives of outstanding emergency management practitioners to meet journalists and answer questions on Wednesday.

During our mission to rescue earthquake survivors in Turkiye this year, we saved six people. Our hard work and dedication impressed other international rescue teams and the locals, who showed us a lot of trust. During our stay, we hardly ever made it back to the base camp for rest because there was so much rubble to deal with everywhere. It's really rewarding to see both international teams and the local people giving us the thumbs-up and applauding us in this kind of situation.

Pan Zhaohu, a Beijing-based firefighter who has participated in international search and rescue operations

I was touched by the scene in Chongqing on the day of our departure. It seemed that all the residents in Chongqing had streamed into the streets to bid us farewell. I remember seeing elderly people in wheelchairs, retired veterans saluting us with tears in their eyes, and even sick people with IV drips who came to see us off.

Li Xiaozhong, a firefighter from Kunming, Yunnan province, who was involved in an operation to extinguish a major forest fire in Chongqing last year

When society and the public are faced with danger, we must be courageous and stand up. To be honest, we may also feel fear when faced with disasters, but we need to cultivate a mindset that is different from others, to have the willpower to face fear differently.

Sun Baitao, an earthquake relief specialist at the China Earthquake Administration

You have to keep learning new things, stay updated, because situations on the ground are getting more complex and diverse as society and the economy evolve. Don't stick to the books. You have to reflect, analyze and think critically. And most importantly, you have to put theories into practice and do training and drills. After each rescue, we have meetings to talk about what we learned and make the necessary changes.

Wang Qingyin, head of a national search and rescue team specializing in dangerous chemical leaks

Emergency management work is not just about simply responding to emergencies. Prevention and preparedness are also important components of the job. Strengthening such abilities can effectively reduce the chance of emergencies, lessen losses and impacts. As a grassroots emergency management worker, I am proud.

Tenba Choephel, director of the emergency management bureau in Nagchu city, Tibet autonomous region

Li Lei