"During our daily training, I try to keep every fire engine and all firefighting equipment in use. I believe if I use them frequently and carefully, they will 'back me up' — acting like a family — during every rescue mission. My wife sometimes jokes with me, saying I spend more time with the engines and equipment than with my children," says Chen Zhibin, assistant to the head of Huanghuashan fire station, in Jianyang District, Nanping, a city in southeast China's Fujian Province. Chen is a firefighter. His wife, Xu Xialan, takes care of their family; in this way, Xu "backs up" Chen so he can concentrate on his work. In May, Chen and Xu's family was selected a National Most Beautiful Family.

The Blue Uniform

Chen joined his firefighting team in 2008, and he joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012. During the past 15 years, Chen, in his blue firefighter's uniform, has rushed to many emergency situations, and he has helped rescue people trapped in fires, or in other disasters. "Many people have compared us, firefighters, to 'supermen,' since they have watched how we have reacted very fast in rescue missions. But we are actually normal people. We rely on our strong willpower to continue going beyond ourselves while we fight a fire," Chen says.

Compared with other firefighters, Chen was thinner and physically weaker when he joined the firefighting team. He made a plan to improve his physical strength, and his firefighting skills. For example, if others ran three kilometers during training, Chen would run five, while carrying something heavy. If others did one repetition of exercises, such as push-ups and/or sit-ups, then Chen would do three to five repetitions.

In 2021, Chen's team was tasked with transporting relief supplies to people trapped by a flood. Under Chen’s leadership, each member of the rescue team carried equipment, weighing nearly 50 kilograms, to the flooded village. The firefighters began working immediately after they arrived in the village. While rescuing a villager from a collapsed house, Chen pushed hard against a broken window to ensure the villager could be extracted. "As firefighters, it is our mission to fight against disasters. If the people are trapped in danger, we must rush ahead to rescue them," Chen says.

As a result of his outstanding work, Chen has been recognized — with third-class merit — five times. He has been named a pacesetter on duty training (by the National Fire and Rescue Administration), an excellent Party member of Nanping, and a moral model of Nanping.

Chen is "extremely" dedicated to his job. As he was busy attending training, he was unable to accompany his wife — twice — when she was giving birth. "I felt guilty. I decided to make greater achievements in firefighting and rescue, so I would pay back the support I have constantly received from my family," Chen says.

Giving Credit

Xu was born in 1988 in Lantian, a town in Anxi County, in Quanzhou, a city in Fujian Province. She used to work as a cashier at a supermarket in her hometown. As Chen has been living in a camp, Xu lived with her parents after she got married. "Although I had hoped my husband could stay at home and accompany me, I had to support him, as he had chosen to be a firefighter," Xu recalls.

After their daughter, Chen Leyan, was born, in 2014, Chen Zhibin nearly cried when he watched a video of his baby girl crying. After she gave birth, Xu quit her job, so she would have more time to take care of their child. "I woke up several times per night, during the early days after my baby was born. At that time, how I wished that my husband could be by my side," Xu says.

In 2016, their son, Chen Xunqi, was born. Two years later, Xu moved with her daughter and son into a house about 30 meters from the camp where Chen Zhibin lived and trained. During a typical year, Chen Zhibin has about 20 days in which he can reunite with his family. Every time the rescue alarm rings, Xu worries about her husband. "His job is way too dangerous. I am concerned about him every time he is on duty. I know all I can do is look after our children, and take good care of our family. I feel my efforts are worthwhile when I hear news my husband is receiving an award because of his outstanding work," Xu adds.

When Chen Zhibin is at home, he is responsible for cooking and helping the children with their studies. He wants his wife to have a rest. The couple hopes their children will grow up to be honest people, who work earnestly.

In Xu's eyes, Chen Zhibin is a "hero," of whom she is proud. He does his best to rescue people in danger. She backs him up, firmly, by supporting their family.

Photos Supplied by Interviewees

(Women of China English Monthly July 2023 issue)