Blue Sky Rescue team members treating the injured in the Lushan earthquake zone
"On May 12, 2008, the 8.0-magnitude earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan, left many people unprepared for the sudden partings of life and death. Less than five years later, another sudden strong earthquake once again cast the people of Ya'an, Sichuan, under the shadow of death. Five years, from Wenchuan to Ya'an, not only have the public become more resilient, but volunteer teams from civil society have also rapidly grown and matured. From scattered, clueless individual efforts to quickly mobilized, goal-oriented effective search and rescue operations; from fragmented small groups and organizations to well-trained, well-equipped professional teams — the '5·12' Wenchuan earthquake served as a watershed that further promoted the real-name registration of volunteer teams, effectively expanded their numbers, and gave the enthusiasm of 'when one place is in trouble, help comes from all sides' a more meaningful purpose."
From Wenchuan to Lushan
Changes in Civilian Rescue Teams
Deployment Speed
It took about one or two days to prepare before departure; now teams set out within half an hour of the quake.
Compared to civilian rescues during the Wenchuan earthquake, the time it takes for various rescue teams to deploy after an earthquake has significantly decreased. Jiang Yili, an official from the One Foundation Alliance, still remembers that during the Wenchuan earthquake, it took their rescue team about one or two days to get ready before departure. Now, their team in Sichuan can set out within half an hour of the quake.
Personnel Quality
A large number of people participated in the rescue efforts, with varying levels of expertise.
Most rescue personnel are well-trained and have extensive rescue experience.
After the Wenchuan earthquake, many major civilian volunteer rescue teams began conducting regular training sessions weekly or monthly.
Search and Rescue Equipment
Only ropes, tents, flashlights, and similar items were carried.
Now, teams are fully equipped with search, demolition, and medical gear. This includes life detectors, rescue dogs, radar, and even standardized uniforms.
The professionalism of civilian rescue teams' equipment has been a key factor enabling them to successfully carry out rescue operations in disaster zones.
Operational Model
Rescue personnel would not set off until all supplies were fully prepared.
Rescue teams now typically adopt a "light cavalry" approach.
In the past, civilian rescue teams would always "send the supplies before the people," waiting until all materials were ready before deploying personnel. But now, teams generally follow a "light cavalry" model, sending in lightly equipped members first while additional supplies are dispatched later based on frontline needs.
Example
Rescue missions are no longer about rushing in for the spectacle.
"Five years ago during the Wenchuan earthquake, we civilian volunteers were like newborns. After going through these five years of training, I feel like we're almost ready to graduate from elementary school." At 2 p.m. on the 23rd, shortly after recovering a new victim in Lushan County, Wang Xiaozhou, 33, captain of the Shandong Red Cross Blue Sky Rescue Team and commander of the team, received orders from the Blue Sky Rescue headquarters to stand down and rest at the site, awaiting the next day’s mission to re-enter the disaster zone to deliver supplies.
System
From “Lone Wolves” to “Team Operations”
"During the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, only the Beijing Blue Sky Rescue Team entered the disaster zone as a complete unit. We ‘lone wolves’ had neither a unified gathering point nor coordinated task assignments — we were completely disorganized," Wang Xiaozhou recalled his volunteer experiences during the Wenchuan earthquake. He said he felt just like many of the “wandering” volunteers he saw on the streets of Lushan County back then — clueless, wandering around, asking others if they needed help, and rushing to wherever the disaster seemed worst, all without any organization or plan.
Back then, there were quite a few “grassroots” volunteers like him. "In Wenchuan, I once saw volunteers showing up wearing leather shoes. I asked, ‘What are you here to do?’ They said, ‘I’m here to rescue!’ So I asked, ‘If you’re here to rescue, what equipment did you bring?’ And they just showed me a little leather bag they were carrying. I told them, ‘Money doesn’t work here!’" Reflecting on his Wenchuan experiences, Wang Xiaozhou told reporters that volunteers with no experience or rescue skills were essentially disaster victims themselves.
After the Ya'an earthquake struck, Wang Xiaozhou's Shandong rescue team was among the first to receive a deployment order from the Beijing Blue Sky Rescue headquarters. They prepared their rescue gear and set off for the disaster area as quickly as possible. At the time, they were searching for a missing elderly Taiwanese man in the Mentougou District of Beijing. Within about 10 hours, they traveled from Beijing to Chengdu. As roads were blocked, they detoured through Yingjing County, hitching rides on motorcycles driven by local residents, and arrived at the epicenter in Lushan County around 7 a.m. on the 21st.
"By the time we got there, many teams had already assembled. The main base had been set up. Part of the Beijing headquarters team had reached Lingguan and were hiking toward Baoxing. The Sichuan rescue team had already entered Baoxing and begun rescue operations."
Quality
From Hobby to Professional Training
After arriving in Lushan County, Wang Xiaozhou and his team didn’t take any rest. After a quick task assignment, they headed straight for the disaster area of Lingguan at 8 a.m. Hearing that there were some injured people in Lingguan who needed treatment, the team even brought along two doctors. “We were still 15 kilometers away from Lingguan when the road became impassable. We had to carry medical instruments, medicine, and other supplies in immediately — the doctors wouldn’t have had the stamina for those 15 kilometers!” As members of the Blue Sky Search and Rescue Team, over the past five years, they’ve had weekly training sessions, monthly intensive drills, and semiannual large-scale exercises, with loaded cross-country runs being a crucial component.
Before the Wenchuan earthquake, Wang Xiaozhou and his teammates, as a group of passionate hiking enthusiasts, formed a mountain search and rescue team. They relied solely on hiking to build physical strength and invited a few experienced seniors to give occasional lectures on rescue techniques. A few individuals had taken first aid training, but there were no fixed training schedules or mandatory requirements.
Physical training such as push-ups, duck walks, and loaded cross-country runs, as well as skill training in earthquakes, floods, radio communication, medical first aid, diving, and operating assault boats under various water conditions, along with psychological training for disaster zones — almost all civilian volunteer organizations, from the largest Blue Sky Rescue Team to the emergency rescue teams affiliated with the Communist Youth League, conduct regular weekly or monthly training. “Our training locations vary, and most are closed-door intensive sessions. The goal is to train everyone’s immediate response in a disaster. Sometimes we’ll have an emergency assembly and must arrive in Jinan within three hours to test the team’s emergency responsiveness. We always keep our gear packed — as soon as we’re told to go, we grab our things and leave immediately.”
In addition, every member of the Blue Sky Search and Rescue Team must learn first aid and take the first aider exam administered by the Red Cross, receiving a first aider certificate upon passing. For communications training, they must be tested on radio operation, obtain an amateur radio license according to the law, get a call sign, and legally use wireless equipment during rescues.
Equipment
From Flashlights to Radar
“Five years ago, there was hardly any proper equipment at all. Back then, just knowing to bring ropes, camping gear, and some food was considered halfway professional!” During the Wenchuan earthquake, most of the volunteers who came to Sichuan to help were inexperienced ordinary people. The more professional ones were mostly civilian mountain rescue teams formed by enthusiastic hikers. Ropes, tents, and flashlights were the only equipment they knew they had to bring.
But in this earthquake’s epicenter of Lushan, whether it was the Blue Sky Search and Rescue Team or the emergency rescue squads, nearly all necessary equipment for searching, demolition, shoring, medical care, and communications was available. Life detectors, search dogs, radar, sonar, audio equipment, as well as standardized uniforms, boots, helmets, food, and medicine — the professionalism of the civilian rescue teams’ equipment became a strong guarantee for their successful operations in the hardest-hit areas.
“Back then, it was really tough doing everything on my own. Now we have unified coordination, unified rescue equipment, and we even train together at the national-level disaster center. We exchange knowledge with well-known international rescue teams and unite with search and rescue volunteers nationwide. Rescues are no longer chaotic mobs rushing in for the spectacle.”
Support
From Self-Sufficiency to Receiving Aid
“Our first team of six arrived here by plane on the 20th. To be honest, I really hated spending that 9,000 yuan,” Wang Xiaozhou told reporters. “But there was some great news — the provincial Red Cross gave us 20,000 yuan. The leaders said to take care of ourselves, get to the disaster zone as quickly as possible, and start rescue work immediately. All expenses for this mission will be reimbursed by the Shandong Provincial Red Cross.”
With this support, Wang Xiaozhou felt more confident and motivated in the search and rescue efforts: “The team leader and others didn’t dare send me out lightly. They know that once I’m on the ground, I won’t come back until the recall. There’s so much to do in the disaster zone, and new challenges keep emerging. I won’t withdraw unless ordered to.”
The influx of a large number of volunteers into the disaster zone — and the unfortunate incidents some encountered on the way to the hardest-hit areas — has been a constant source of anxiety for all rescuers. How can their safety be ensured? Zhang Nan, a staff member of the Beijing Emergency Volunteer Team, told reporters that every time they find a volunteer missing or suffering misfortune, their emotions shift from anxiety to sorrow, lingering for a long time. “Every volunteer, if something unfortunate happens, should be honored and receive safety protection,” Zhang Nan said. Since the Wenchuan earthquake, the volunteer insurance system has also seen further improvements.
“The Shandong branch reports to the headquarters: I have search and rescue capabilities, I have the equipment, and I can arrive on-site immediately.” “Approved. Please submit all your personnel information.” Wang Xiaozhou demonstrated the rapid process of insuring team members in front of the reporter. Beyond financial insurance, as the number of volunteers continues to grow, there is also more flexibility in selecting suitable personnel for different types of disasters. “I usually choose people who have participated in large-scale, national-level disaster rescue training. I select based on terrain — for example, during our trip to Yushu, the selected team members had to have experience climbing mountains above 4,000 meters, so they understand how to prevent altitude sickness.”
Current Situation
Five Years of Tremendous Change in Civilian Rescue Organizations
When Baoxing County was still an earthquake “island,” a civilian rescue team “silently” crossed the Jiajin Mountain — the first snow-capped mountain crossed during the Red Army’s Long March — and arrived there before the road was even cleared.
“Compared to the time of the Wenchuan earthquake, we’re looking more and more like a real team,” said Jiang Yili, head of the team and a coordinator with the One Foundation Alliance. In fact, in the five years between the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes, civilian rescue organizations have evolved from loose, amateur outfits into recognized social forces with continuously improving professionalism, acknowledged by both the public and the government.
Five Major Changes in Civilian Rescue Teams
Compared to the civilian rescue efforts during the Wenchuan earthquake, the time between an earthquake occurring and teams setting off has been significantly shortened. Jiang Yili still remembers that during the Wenchuan earthquake, it took their team about one or two days to prepare and depart, but now, their teams in Sichuan can set off within half an hour of an earthquake.
Secondly, the mode of deployment has changed noticeably. In the past, civilian rescue teams would always “send supplies before personnel” — making sure all materials were ready before the rescuers even set out. Now, teams typically adopt a “light cavalry” model, where team members go in lightly equipped, and the bulk of supplies follow later based on the needs determined on-site.
“We entered Baoxing County from Chengdu via a detour through Jiajin Mountain. That was based on our advance assessment of the situation ahead. Although it was a longer route, it avoided traffic jams, allowing us to arrive earlier,” Jiang Yili explained.
Furthermore, rescue efforts have become more targeted and diverse. During the Wenchuan earthquake, rescue teams were often composed of hiking enthusiasts who were more familiar with mountain search work. Now, the teams consist of a more varied personnel pool, with a wider range of equipment, and use different personnel and equipment depending on the situation.
Additionally, the quality of volunteers has improved greatly compared to five years ago. During the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, many people participated in rescue efforts, but their skills varied widely. Today’s rescuers are well-trained and possess extensive experience.
At the same time, the internal management of rescue teams has become more scientific. Team members act in unison under the command of their leaders, and there is also better coordination among different teams. Five years ago, many teams were formed temporarily, leading to more arbitrary decision-making.
Finally, compared to five years ago, civilian rescue efforts have gained more recognition from both the government and the public. Their cooperation and division of labor with the People’s Liberation Army, armed police, and firefighters have become more detailed and built on stronger trust. For instance, during this earthquake rescue mission, the “One Foundation” received substantial support from a corporation — something unimaginable five years ago.
Reasons for Change: Self-Strengthening Under Government Support
The evolution of civilian rescue teams during the Lushan earthquake was not an overnight achievement; it reflects the development of these teams over the past five years. In fact, over these five years, cooperation between government and civilian rescue organizations has been increasing. For example, during the Yushu earthquake and the Beijing July 21 flood, collaboration between government rescue teams and civilian rescue forces could be seen. According to Jiang Yili, government procurement of services has also contributed to the growth and strengthening of civilian rescue organizations.
In addition, civilian professional rescuers or team leaders often give rescue training courses to local public security and fire brigades to promote rescue knowledge.
At the same time, these civilian rescue groups also frequently organize social activities. For instance, the leader of the “Green Field” Rescue Team, Wildcat, often visits schools and communities to spread scientific rescue knowledge, and promotes these activities online to expand their impact.
Over the past five years, civilian rescue organizations have frequently participated in various rescue operations, ranging from searching for missing people in the wilderness to responding to major natural disasters, which has also expanded their influence. More and more people are getting involved, “changing from treating rescue as a hobby to truly making it a career,” said one head of a civilian rescue organization.