Rescue team involved in search for missing man on Xiaoheshan Mountain.
Hangzhou Outdoor Emergency Rescue Team – you may not be familiar with this team, but this purely civilian nonprofit organization has participated in numerous outdoor rescue operations across Zhejiang Province, and its equipment is arguably the best among civilian rescue teams in China. Now, this grassroots outdoor rescue team, established just over two years ago, plans to set up rescue squads in accident-prone areas across the province. Those who are physically fit, skilled, have time to spare, and a heart of compassion are welcome to join.
High-altitude stretchers worth tens of thousands of yuan, rescue command vehicles are top-notch professionally
A remote-controlled aircraft worth 800,000 yuan to be added this year
“Our outdoor emergency rescue team was founded in May 2009 as Hangzhou’s first outdoor rescue team and is a completely civilian-based charitable organization,” said Xu Lijun, leader of the Hangzhou Outdoor Emergency Rescue Team. By 2012, the team had nearly 300 members, but only 40 frontline rescuers were directly available for missions, including 16 in the primary rescue squad and 24 as backup members.
“The team’s funding comes entirely from private donations, or more precisely, primarily from the contributions of several Zhejiang businesspeople passionate about outdoor public welfare,” Xu introduced the team’s equipment to reporters: professional high-altitude hoisting rescue stretchers worth tens of thousands of yuan; rescue command vehicles that serve multiple functions including command, transport, and equipment storage; American-made professional handheld GPS systems… “Over the past two years, several million yuan in charitable donations have been invested in the team. This year, we will also purchase an unmanned remote-controlled aircraft worth 800,000 yuan, which will effectively collect rescue information at altitudes below 3,000 meters. In short, our rescue team now has the most advanced equipment among civilian outdoor rescue organizations in China.”
Establish rescue squads in accident-prone areas across the province
Welcome those with stamina, expertise, and time to join
Since its establishment, the Hangzhou Outdoor Emergency Rescue Team has participated in numerous outdoor rescue operations across the province. This year, the team is planning to establish a regional rescue system, with a focus on setting up rescue squads in accident-prone areas to enable rapid response nearby.
“So, we want to recruit more civilian volunteers to join us. All current team members are civilians and volunteers. This recruitment drive is open to all industries—anyone who is healthy, has stamina and time, can contribute regardless of professional background. Volunteers familiar with the mountains and waterways of Zhejiang and surrounding areas are especially welcome,” said Xu Lijun. The team’s recruitment policy is “easy to join, strict to qualify.” Every successful applicant, no matter their professional background, must complete 24 professional outdoor training sessions, combining theory and practice, and pass the assessment before joining rescue missions. “Many volunteers went from knowing nothing about rescue to becoming semi-professionals after the 24 sessions.”
Interested readers can visit the website of the Hangzhou Outdoor Sports Association to download an application form. Meanwhile, the Hangzhou Outdoor Emergency Rescue Team has set up an “Automatic Outdoor Trip Registration” feature on its homepage. Currently, very few outdoor groups voluntarily register. We hope more hikers will sign up before their trips. In case of emergencies, this will greatly improve rescue efficiency. Safe hiking often depends on taking that one small step.
August 13–14, 2011: Participated in successfully rescuing 52 stranded Shanghai hikers at Linhai’s Eighteen Pools;
May 24–26, 2011: Searched for missing Shanghai elderly man Zhang Quancai lost in Dongtianmu Mountain, Taihu Source, Lin’an;
November 17, 2010: Participated in the search for missing herb-gathering elderly man Zou Dexiang on Kuocang Mountain, Linhai;
June 7–10, 2010: Participated in the search for a missing man on Xiaoheshan Mountain, Hangzhou;
June 1–2, 2010: Participated in the search for 77-year-old Zhou Yongsuo from Jinhua Lanxi;
March 12, 2010: Provided emergency assistance to elderly woman Lu A’mei from Suzhou on Yuhuang Mountain;
December 27–28, 2009: Successfully rescued 9 stranded Shanghai hikers on Wuyi’s Niutou Mountain.