Rescuers line up during a disaster prevention and mitigation drill in Beijing, capital of China on May 11, 2015, to mark the May 12 National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Day. (Photo/Chinanews.com)
Emergency drills have been held in several Chinese cities to mark the 7th National Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day. This year's theme is to promote "Scientific Methods to Alleviate Disaster".
A series of activities have been carried out across China, to help people learn survival skills and practice evacuation methods.
In northwestern Ningxia Technical College, an emergency drill attracted around 4,000 students and teachers to take part in the activity.
During the drill, firefighters identify trapped students and then rescue them by using ladders and aerial ladder trucks.
Wang Guoen is the head of local public security fire brigade.
He explains the reason why they organized this kind of drill.
"The large number of student casualties in the Wenchuan Earthquake exposed our students' poor ability for self-rescue and to escape from danger, and their lack of relevant education. we conducted this drill after considering the earthquakes that have frequently happened in recent years. "
This year's Disaster Prevention and Reduction day aims to apply scientific methods to disaster alleviation.
Zhang Yong is the leader of China's Blue Sky rescue team.
He says such kind of activities is crucial in helping alleviating destruction during emergencies, such as an earthquake.
"Drawing on the experience of previous major earthquakes, the government is now enhancing its earthquake early-warning system, and publicizing the knowledge of disaster avoidance. You can see that earthquake drills are held across China, and the amount of emergency supplies in the frequent earthquake areas is increasing. All of these things are very helpful."
Tuesday also marks the 7th anniversary of China's Wenchuan Earthquake, which killed nearly 70 thousand people in the southwestern region.
China is also among the countries that hit hardest by earthquakes.
The vice-chairman of International Emergency Management Association, Qu Guosheng, says China should put disaster alleviation into urban planning and draw on similar international experience to improve preparation for disasters.
"No matter in cities or mountainous areas, we should arrange helipads in an effective way. By these means, we can transfer rescue forces and relief materials to the site as soon as possible when disasters happen. In our country, many emergency shelters have been established. We also make sure that corresponding facilities, such as toilets, electricity, and water supply are in place. This preparation can facilitate rescue efforts and post-disaster reconstruction."
Zhang Yong from the Blue Sky rescue team further gives some suggestions for disaster prevention and self-rescue.
"In developed countries, many households have first-aid kits, and rescue tools. This is something we can learn from, especially for those who live in earthquake-prone regions. Meanwhile, when an earthquake suddenly occurs, people should get under furniture that can bear large weight on top. If they live in bungalows or on lower floors, they should run out to open areas."
