Can't get off the highway? "Invitation letter" intercepts out of town rescue teams? Response from relevant departments in Zhuozhou → Power | Management Bureau | Zhuozhou

Starting from July 31st, professional rescue teams from all over the country have been rushing to Zhuozhou to provide support. However, multiple rescue teams have reported that according to regulations, civilian rescue teams from other regions need to apply for an invitation letter from the local emergency management department before cross provincial rescue, and then report to the local emergency management department. After obtaining approval, the rescue team can depart. Due to not receiving the invitation letter from the local authorities in Zhuozhou, some teams are in a dilemma of not knowing what to do.

But on the afternoon of August 2nd, staff from the local armed forces department in Zhuozhou told First Financial that there were no restrictions on whether there were "invitation letters" for rescue teams from other places. "As long as it is a professional rescue team, they can come. We urgently need assault boats, assault boats, medicine, life jackets, and bring these things with us."

Before August 1st, a notice circulated among rescue teams: "After consulting and agreeing with the Provincial Department, if rescue teams from outside Hebei Province have arrived in Baoding City or are on their way without the invitation of the Provincial Department, please report to the Baoding Emergency Management Bureau in a timely manner... In addition, teams that have not departed will no longer be arranged for docking. This statement is hereby made. Please convey to each other that we sincerely thank the social rescue teams from both inside and outside the province for their care for Baoding City. Thank you all."

First Financial called the contact phone number left in the notification and repeatedly indicated that the line was busy.

On the evening of July 31st, some volunteers in the local area reported that some rescue teams that had already arrived were unable to disembark from the highway and enter Zhuozhou. The ones that were able to disembark from the highway were those that had been pre connected and had an invitation letter. News such as "storming boats, requesting rescue supplies, and finding someone to connect with" have also been circulating in group chats. Different public opinion voices have emerged - "The arrival of unqualified individuals is also adding to the chaos, and the rescue of Zhuozhou is very difficult.". Some people also say, "In the current disaster situation, the procedures should be simplified and the rescue team should come first."

But according to information obtained from multiple sources by First Financial, these "obstacles" are gradually being resolved in the face of the current disaster situation.

On August 1st, local residents and frontline rescue workers told First Financial reporters that a local district government sent people to pick up rescue teams at the highway entrance, including those who entered Zhuozhou but did not receive a task or were not qualified to enter. They could all be accepted, and there were arrangements for food and accommodation. "In fact, there was no obstacle to entering the village to rescue people.". In the face of special disasters, many local governments in Zhuozhou are also actively carrying out self rescue efforts. In addition, transportation departments, television station staff, ordinary citizens, and others are actively contacting and communicating with rescue teams. By the morning of August 2nd, more than ten rescue teams had already participated in the rescue in some villages.

"In fact, many rescue teams from other regions have already participated in local rescue efforts. They did not coordinate with the Zhuozhou Emergency Management Bureau, but directly contacted various districts and towns under Zhuozhou for rescue. Local officials and citizens led the way for them, and trapped people reached out to them for help. If the work in this district is completed, they can continue to rescue in other districts and towns," a local citizen told reporters.

"The Emergency Management Bureau is in contact with all social forces, and it cannot be said that there is a reason why people are not allowed to come in for rescue despite the lack of manpower. However, many teams that come in now lack strong skills. If problems arise after following in, they will be held accountable later on. Their considerations have their own reasoning." A staff member of the Blue Sky Rescue Team explained to reporters that many public opinions now tend to view this issue one-sided, which has a negative impact on disaster relief work.

On the morning of August 2nd, a new news came out that professional rescue teams without an invitation letter can directly connect with the local armed forces and fire department to receive it. Currently, the highway is free, and the invitation letter can be reissued later.

The reporter verified the above information from relevant departments and learned that there are indeed many rescue teams participating in disaster relief in Zhuozhou, but the lack of rescue forces is also a fact. However, if the rescue team departs too far or arrives too late, it may also be worth a trip. The government and emergency management bureau are no longer accepting new rescue teams, while the armed forces and fire department are still accepting them.