At 2:30 in the afternoon, the Binjiang Fire Brigade’s direct unit started training again.
Branch Captain Song Jiwei opened the window, glanced at the soldiers training on the grounds, and turned back to ask, "Has Peng Guofu settled things with the Changzhou Police Bureau so quickly?"
Political Commissioner You Jianjiang smiled and said, "The Changzhou Police Bureau has never cared much about firefighting by the river. Peng Guofu wanting the jurisdiction over security and firefighting along the Yangtze River coastline is like delivering a pillow to a sleepy head for them. They not only agreed very readily but also suggested that if there is time tomorrow, we should visit the Changzhou Procuratorate together."
The transfer of jurisdiction over security and firefighting is not just an internal matter within the police system.
If a common criminal case occurs along the coastline, it involves prosecution transfer.
If a fire accident occurs on the coastline or on ships in the river, it inevitably involves the procuratorate when assigning responsibilities.
Song Jiwei was surprised by the quick action of the Water Police Station and asked further, "Old You, did they invite you to go along?"
"Not only am I going, but Director Wang from the Police Team will also go. After talking to the procuratorate, the City Bureau has to report and issue a notice for jurisdiction adjustments."
"No mastery of the trade yet meddling with delicate affairs, do they even understand firefighting, do they have the fire fighting capabilities? I think Peng Guofu is driven mad by poverty, trying to carve out a niche in firefighting without making it in security fines!"
"If they don’t know, someone else does. They might not have professional firefighting teams, but Changhang Bureau does."
"They share the same breath with Changhang Bureau, the Changhang Bureau Water Fire Rescue Team is their firefighting force. Whatever Changhang Bureau is doing now, they will mimic it once they snatch the territory."
As the Branch Captain of Binjiang Fire Brigade, Song Jiwei always believed that all firefighting efforts in Binjiang should be under his brigade’s control. However, the Changhang Bureau surfaced unexpectedly, turning the nominal Water Fire Rescue Team into a real unit integrating fire supervision, fire propaganda and training, administrative approval and penalties, and fire rescue.
The Fire Brigade could no longer manage the firefighting along the ten kilometers of the Port District coastline, nor could they use the major hidden dangers in the port area firefighting as a reason to compete for funds and equipment from their superiors.
They are also called a brigade, making it seem like they’re on the same level as the Regular Group Level Binjiang Fire Brigade!
What’s even more frustrating is that Deputy Division Commander named Salted Fish is only twenty-three this year. Although spending time on the river makes him seem mature, it doesn’t change the fact that he is still a greenhorn.
A twenty-something greenhorn, sitting on the same level with several of my deputies, what kind of situation is that?
What’s even more despairing is that the Water Police Station is following suit, wanting to establish their fire battalion, taking away the firefighting jurisdiction over more than a hundred kilometers of the Yangtze River waterfront section in Binjiang.
It’s a national humiliation!
Song Jiwei really wanted to object but couldn’t.
Since the brigade’s equipment is too outdated, and you criticize others for taking on tasks beyond their capability, they might as well say you are incapable of managing too many things.
Moreover, Changhang Bureau’s superior is the Changhang Police Bureau, which has its own Fire Department under the Ministry of Transport Police system. They are supposed to accept double leadership from the Changhang Police Bureau and the Local Police Bureau, but in reality, they operate independently, giving you respect in business matters if they want to and completely ignoring you if they don’t.
Just as Song Jiwei was at a loss for words, Political Commissioner You continued, "Director Song, Director Jiang from Changhang Bureau called me this morning, saying that the leaders from the Ministry of Transport Police will check next month, and the leaders from Changhang Police Bureau will accompany them throughout. The inspection also includes firefighting, and they plan to conduct a firefighting drill to show their superiors their combat capabilities."
"What does that have to do with us?"
"Either they don’t do it, or they go big. They’ve already coordinated with Zhangjia Port Authority, planning to invite them to send a Fire and Towing Ship for the exercise. On the shore side, they want to invite one of our squads to participate, saying everything should be based on actual combat."
Going big means simulating a major fire.
For a major fire, relying solely on them would definitely be insufficient; assistance would be needed from all possible sources.
Deep down, Song Jiwei really didn’t want to arrange his troops to help them deceive their superiors.
However, firefighting drills are not a small matter, and if a real major fire occurs at Binjiang Port, the Fire Brigade would definitely need to respond.
Song Jiwei weighed his options and was just about to agree when Political Commissioner You smiled and said, "Director Song, no matter what, they are taking firefighting seriously and showing considerable respect for our brigade. I think it’s unreasonable not to arrange a squad."
"What’s so unreasonable about it?" Song Jiwei asked subconsciously.
"If the Changhang Bureau is considered one family with the Water Police Station, then the Changhang Bureau and the Port Authority are truly one family. Not giving face to the Changhang Bureau means not giving face to the Port Authority. If the leaders of the Port Authority are displeased, they might not come to visit at the end of the year as before."
"Are we supporting the scene just for the sake of consolation gifts?"
"It’s not just about consolation gifts."
Political Commissioner You, knowing the Branch Captain was displeased with the Water Fire Rescue Team of the Changhang Bureau, smiled and said, "I think their involvement in firefighting isn’t bad for us, for one, if a major fire occurs, they could somewhat help. Secondly, although they aren’t active like the local police forces, they can now accommodate Fang Guoya. If we maintain good relations with them, they could help place other demobilizing officers and even assist us in settling non-commissioned officers who don’t want to return to their hometowns."
Whether the Water Fire Rescue Team of the Changhang Bureau could actually be of help in a major fire, Song Jiwei didn’t hold much hope, as ultimately, fighting a major fire relies on the brave and determined firefighters.