Chapter 469 - 378: Old Hu Leaves?

Three days.

The squadron’s five flags in the campsite were gradually being raised higher and higher.

Similarly, the horizons of the 48 firefighters were also being elevated.

Over these days, Fang Huai used subjects such as emergency medical treatment of injured personnel, rapid rescue of drowning victims, salvage of sunken ships, airborne rescue above rooftops, airdrops onto isolated islands, and rescue operations in complex mountainous terrain, to swiftly complete everyone’s grasp of airborne reinforcement capabilities.

Each person, within constantly complex scenarios, experienced the advantages of airborne support.

This included theoretical training as well.

On the second night, Fang Huai took the lead in explaining several brilliant uses of airborne rescue and some disadvantages of helicopters, including radio communication, navigation, and limitations. Combined with the experiences of the past two days, everyone absorbed the lessons much faster, and their enthusiasm was high.

After the lecture, he gave them a group discussion session.

Four discussion topics.

The first question: A 13-hectare scenic forest area caught fire; make an emergency plan utilizing the available emergency forces.

The second question: A sudden flood with an average 24-hour cumulative rainfall exceeding 150 millimeters strikes a county town of 150,000 people; consider what disasters could occur.

The third question: A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hits an area; list all possible rescue equipment that can be used for earthquake disaster relief, and the potential impact of each piece of equipment.

The fourth question: A flight carrying 137 people has its landing gear malfunction and the plane must make a forced landing; make an emergency preparedness plan for all possible scenarios that could occur.

This question piqued Lin Chong’s interest.

He naturally knew about Shanghai’s Hongqiao MU586 of ’98.

It even provoked his thoughts. Him, who usually spoke little, actually got involved in the discussion.

Everyone else was very interested in the topic as well.

The understanding of helicopter rescue broadened their thinking; they pooled their knowledge, with many people recalling emergency equipment they had seen or heard about.

Foreign PVC inflatable water barriers, automatically inflatable underwater life-saving airbags, inflatable tunnels...

Somehow, because the topic of inflation kept coming up, some people started to lower their voices while talking, and their smiles turned strange.

Of course, there was also steel.

The Hydropower Troops’ latest integrated heavy-duty rescue bridge was something they had heard about in the disaster area; a bridge that could be erected in two to three hours and accommodate trucks.

However, because it was too bulky and not long enough at only 20 meters, the technology was just getting started. They believed that in the future it would, like the firefighters’ ladders, get longer and longer—reaching 35 meters, 50 meters, or even 100 meters.

Being soldiers and several junior military officers, this was their first time planning contingency plans. Fang Huai did not require them to follow a format, nor a complete contingency plan, just to contribute ideas.

You add a thought, I add a thought, and the discussion heated up tremendously overnight.

Fang Huai not only taught them how to utilize helicopters, but he also expanded their horizons.

From the beginning when most of them didn’t even know how to signal with flags, to later when a few soldiers gathered together and could actually use their own knowledge to piece together several reasonable plans.

Hu Peizhou went over to take a look and found them quite comprehensive. There were even some unconventional ideas, such as using large-diameter drills to create underground passages for sustaining the lives of those trapped underground during a major earthquake.

Leaving feasibility aside, some ideas certainly caught his attention.

At the end of the discussions, Fang Huai evaluated each plan and gathered everyone to say the following words:

"In nearly all of your plans, I saw a common term: ’assault force.’

Who should be the assault force in rescue operations? It ought to be us!"

These days, I keep hearing you say, everyone seems to aspire to be Special Forces, right?

But in today’s era, killing enemies, by far, isn’t as common as rescue operations!

Who’s the strongest in killing enemies? I’m afraid the People’s Liberation Army, the People’s Armed Police; none admit defeat to the other.

But the king of rescue, if not me, then who?

At an emergency rescue site, when we arrive, everyone else has to stand aside!

Present here are the Special Forces from the firefighting units in the Southwest region and Central China region!

Assault forces, Special forces, not only need outstanding endurance, strength, unwavering patriotism, and team spirit, but they also need extraordinary vision and professional knowledge!

You see, once you set an assault plan, you can imagine how much expectation and demand there is for the assault force—that is, us, and for our professionalism!

Do you have confidence to meet these demands?

Perhaps you still lack a bit of confidence, right?

But, the current you, compared to before you came, should have gained some confidence. There are still 36 days left in this training, and this class will give you even more confidence!

What you lack is your determination. Now, I’m going to ask you a few questions: Do you want to become a driving force in professionalized emergency rescue? Do you want to be invincible and omnipotent in rescue operations? Do you want to learn skills here that will be enough to guide the development of firefighting over the next decade?"

Having said that, some people were just about to speak when Fang Huai raised his hand to interrupt.

"No need to answer, the true answer lies within your heart. You know how much you have improved, and the results will prove themselves."

A bunch of old soldiers, with faces turning red from holding back, that was their enthusiasm bursting forth.

Inspiration is the key in teaching theory, which involves cultivating interest, emphasizing the feeling of achievement, regularly summarizing to recognize personal growth, leading to satisfaction, and thus, more interest.

Hu Peizhou praised internally.

This Fang Huai should have come earlier.

With his ability to inspire and his practical skills, had he been the long-term instructor for this training class, the results of these four phases would have definitely improved significantly.

...

On the last day, in the afternoon, there was a joint exercise by five teams for a landslide rescue.

Hu Peizhou had put in a lot of effort, inviting some actual people from two nearby towns to act as victims, and arranging for tools for breaking and demolition as well as fire trucks and artificial rainfall.

This Deputy Chief of Staff really did have quite the influence.

With real people involved, everyone’s enthusiasm grew even more.

As the "heavy rain" started, helicopters had to evacuate, and everyone had to resort to the most primitive rescue methods.

On the wet, muddy, broken mountain path, drenched by the "rain," soldiers lay down on the slippery mud by the shattered rocks, forming human bridges for the people to step across their backs.

At first, the locals were too scared to step on them.

Some anxiously said, "These are all young lads, all firefighters and soldiers, right? How could we step on them? I couldn’t bear it!"

But Fang Huai, who was responsible for the safety of the locals, secretly told everyone that this was an exercise, almost like acting. They would only get their participation fee after being safely rescued!

Oh.

Then the locals started confidently stepping across, and while walking, they kept an eye out for cameras.

Below them, the firefighters started to howl.

"Hey, hey, uncle, be careful where you step, don’t step on my head!"

"Boss, you’re stepping on my hand!"

An uncle was still criticized as he walked: "You can’t talk during a performance! How can you have no professional ethics at all? A couple of years ago, a film crew came here to shoot, and I even participated as an extra!"

Having said this, he turned to Fang Huai and said:

"Director, he spoke, so do we need to do it all over again? That’s called...uh...NG, right?"

The one being stepped on was already grimacing in pain.

"Uncle, can you please step aside before calling NG??? You keep ’N’ing on me, and I can’t take it!"

Fang Huai was already laughing so hard he could barely stand it.

...

One hour later.

The exercise was completely finished.

The soldiers, cold and hungry, gathered at the assembly point for the exercise.

For three days, they hadn’t had a single full meal.

For supplies, it was nothing but biscuits and apples.

For sleeping, it was resting outdoors.

Before, everyone thought the tents were too crowded and small, but once they actually had to sleep on the ground, with mosquitoes flying around, they found the tents to be pretty good.

But when it came to waking up and starting a new day with another task, they discovered that sleeping on the ground was indeed damn good!

Their spirits were high on Number 1’s "chicken blood," but their bodies couldn’t take it anymore!

And Hu Peizhou and Fang Huai, who led all this, stood in front of the formation, satisfied.

"Three days and two nights, finished! Congratulations, you’ve passed the test!

Through this test, I saw everyone’s potential, very good!

For passing the test, of course, there are rewards! A banquet waits 20 kilometers away at the camp! First come, first served, with food and drink!"

Damn?

The soldiers, starving, didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry at this moment.

A grand feast.

kilometers away at the camp, with a load to bear.

Back in the Squadron, they would never have considered it anything close to a fair deal. After a 20-kilometer march with a load, most of them would be too exhausted to even eat anything.

But now, 20 kilometers had become just a walk in the park.

And then, a smart soldier, always quick to learn from his losses, asked:

"Captain Hu, the rain has stopped now, can we call for a helicopter rescue, so they can take us back to the camp?"

The soldiers nearby immediately shouted out loud: "Yes! We’re on our way back from a task, even taking the big People’s Liberation Army vehicle would be fine!"

Wow, damn?

Fang Huai’s eyes widened.

As soon as they’re off crutches, their IQs take the high ground!

A smile appeared on Hu Peizhou’s face:

"It’s not allowed normally, but today, in a special circumstance, special treatment! Consider it a reward for your progress!

You persisted and exceeded the study objectives!

So, enjoy the grand banquet, and a day’s rest!

After returning to the camp, everyone will rest for one day, and we’ll set off again tomorrow afternoon!"

"Damn!"

"Damn!"

"Hahaha...A break finally!"

Hu Peizhou seemed in a good mood, his face also beaming with a smile.

"Coming to Shennongjia, one of China’s best primeval forests, tomorrow you can have a driver take you around for sightseeing! Make some memories!"

At this, everyone’s smiles tightened.

What the hell? Sightseeing?

This Shennongjia, dozens of kilometers wide and tall, over the past few days, except for the deepest forbidden areas, they had measured most of the surrounding wilderness with their legs!

It was primeval, alright, but also way too damn primeval!

"No need! Captain Hu, we just want to rest properly!!"

...

At night.

The camp, now littered with large and small tents.

Some soldiers slept, while others sat or lay on the grass, boasting about their awesomeness.

After nearly ten days, some had developed comrade-in-arms bonds.

The lights of a Troop Carrier parked roadside suddenly came on, and Captain Hu and Number 1 emerged from the main tent, talking and laughing as if they were quite pleased.

The soldiers watched the two of them.

"Eh? Captain Hu got on the vehicle? Is he leaving?"

"He might be going out to buy something..."

"No, no, Captain Hu carried a camouflage bag!"

With a "bang," the car started up and gradually moved away.

Some soldiers who were originally lying down now sat up, shouting:

"Oh my! Doghead Old Hu really left! Look, the main tent’s light is out!"

At that moment, Fang Huai turned his head and smiled:

"Doghead Old Hu may have left, but Doghead Old Fang is still here! Rest well and prepare for training!"

Having said that, he leisurely resumed his General’s Step and walked back into the main tent.

The lights came back on.