1,000 new firefighters across city to start duty before end of this year

There has been a changing of the guard among the city's firefighters after 838 veterans hung up their protective helmets and retired on Monday and Tuesday.

The firefighters were honored at a farewell party where they were thanked for their hard work. Then, most headed out of the capital in the direction of their hometowns.

Among the exodus were firefighters with as long as 16 years of service under their belts and others with as little as two years of active duty, said Liu Yuyan, press officer with the fire department.

He said the government will arrange for each to have jobs in State-run organizations if they want them.

Many of the tough guys showed their softer side at the farewell party and openly wept while saying goodbye to one another.

"It is so hard to let it go," said Ni Changbao, who had been the captain of a squad based in the West Railway Fire Station.

After 12 years on the job, 28-year-old Ni was ordered not to take part in any emergency calls during his last few days on the job to make sure he made it to retirement with his health.

However, he voluntarily went out to help a boy whose hand was stuck in a revolving door on Monday, the day before the official end of his service.

"I just don't want to take off the uniform. It contains so many good memories," he said.

He is a veteran of many high-profile calls, including the fire at China Central Television in February 2009 and a blaze at a paint factory in 2004 near to where the Olympic Village now stands.

He will work for a property management company in Beijing where he will be in charge of fire prevention.

Cao Wenhai, 24, who was a firefighter for five years, said he came to adulthood in the fire station and sees it as a home from home.

"I was a thoughtless child when I first joined. It was the service that taught me how to cook food, how to get along with people, and how to be a real man," he said.

"The military spirit is in my blood now and I will carry it through the rest of my life."

Zhang Bin, 23, who only got the chance to return to his hometown once during the past five years for a Spring Festival, said he is looking forward to seeing family and friends.

He said many old schoolmates are now married but he has remained single because his whole life has revolved around his work and additional training.

"I will start over with a new life," he said. "With the spirit I got from firefighting, I will be able to conquer any difficulties."

Statistics show that firefighting is a very dangerous occupation. Between 1996 and 2005, 131 firefighters nationwide died on the job and 1,610 were injured. Between 2007 and 2009, 153 firefighters died while on duty.

Beijing has more than 7,000 firefighters. Some 1,000 new recruits will take up positions before the end of the year, according to Beijing fire department.