China has been plagued by heavy snow in the past few weeks, and many people, including ordinary citizens, have volunteered to help with the rescue work. The Beijing News carried a commentary saying that professional training is needed to improve the efficiency in fighting against disasters.

The paper noted that the mass majority of the ordinary citizens lack professional skills to conduct rescue work. For instance, some railway workers use their own body heat to thaw ice on railway tracks. While their devotion is worth praising, the actual results are far from satisfactory.

The paper also warned that involving unskilled people in the rescue work might create new danger. Few unskilled people can handle the rescue resources properly, and they could get seriously injured during the disaster relief process. The Beijing News thus suggested the government set up professional training courses on emergency plans and disaster relief efforts.

The paper went on to say that the training should not be limited within the range of government officials or military officers. Staff members from the Red Cross, volunteers, and even ordinary people also need to get trained. This way, if there are any other disasters to come, people will be able to protect themselves and help others more.