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墨書 Inktalez
Although protected by the Three Gorges Dam, the fierce Hongfeng often passes through during the summer, causing certain areas to suffer impacts or losses. Recently, heavy rains upstream had caused significant flooding, which flowed into Beautiful Mountain City. The government promptly issued a Flood Control Level One Response, and we received a notification from the Emergency Bureau to prepare for our assigned tasks. Our work primarily involved patrolling the embankments, draining water, and providing temporary rescue efforts.
It was a dark night with howling winds when a sudden urgent phone call jolted me awake from my sleep. Groggily answering the phone, I heard an anxious voice on the other end: "No! An underground tunnel has flooded, and the situation is critical. We need to rush over for support immediately!"
Upon hearing this, I quickly got out of bed, hastily gathered my things, and rushed out. When I arrived at the scene, I saw several fire trucks parked there, with firefighters busily working. I hurried over and peered inside the tunnel, where the water had accumulated to over a meter deep.
Time was of the essence; there was no room for delay. We quickly sprang into action, searching for pumps. After some effort, we finally located a few large pumps and moved them to suitable positions. Once everything was ready, we divided our tasks and began pumping out the water. The firefighters were using advanced equipment to continuously extract water, while we worked tirelessly with our pumps, hoping to lower the water level as quickly as possible.
I must say, the National Team's equipment was impressive! In comparison, our pumps felt like rifles while theirs were at least mortars in capability. However, despite the difference in tools, everyone was united in determination and effort.
After about an hour or two of relentless work from all involved, I noticed the water level gradually decreasing, which eased my anxiety considerably. Although everyone was soaked through—unable to tell whether it was sweat or muddy water—seeing our efforts yield results made all fatigue seem to vanish.
Once the mission was complete and we prepared to leave, the firefighters approached us one by one to express their gratitude. Faced with their sincere thanks, we felt a bit embarrassed and waved our hands dismissively, saying it was all part of our duty; teamwork is essential! In that moment, I deeply felt the power of unity and cooperation, as well as the warmth and kindness shared among people.
Until the response was lifted, we primarily focused on routine embankment patrols. Each time we went out in groups, we occasionally encountered elderly men swimming or young people fishing by the riverbank. We would approach them gently to advise against it; they usually complied and sometimes chatted with us. Some young people didn’t understand public welfare rescue efforts; after all, everyone participated without seeking rewards. Some enjoyed being online or playing football; others simply liked engaging in such activities while learning rescue skills along the way. However, public welfare organizations tend to have high turnover rates without mandatory constraints or salaries. Over time, due to family commitments or changing interests, participants would come and go—meeting new friends along the way. Moreover, our team comprised individuals from various professions; perhaps one day when faced with challenges related to their fields, they could seek advice from teammates.
When joining the team, everyone signed a waiver acknowledging personal risk to ensure accountability for themselves and others. This served as a constant reminder of safety; aside from rescue missions which could be demanding, our regular duties were relatively relaxed—handling logistics and doing outreach work while occasionally teaching classes. Overall, the team managed risks effectively; no one wanted anyone around them to face danger. I felt a sense of camaraderie reminiscent of military life—though not under military management—it fostered a sense of community where individual heroism took a backseat as everyone looked out for one another during rescues.
Soon after, Hongfeng passed safely without further incident; the government lifted its response measures and we returned to our normal routines. Occasionally in the evenings, my teammates and I would stroll along previously patrolled embankments reminiscing about amusing incidents from those days—who slipped here or who stepped in dog waste there—everyone laughed heartily as we observed leisurely pedestrians and cheerful anglers by the riverside. My heart swelled with joy seeing that the embankment had returned to its lively atmosphere once more.
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