Fire and Rescue Brigade keeps Potala Palace fire-free for 40 years

Since its establishment in 1984, the Potala Palace Fire and Rescue Brigade has maintained a "zero fire incident" record for 40 years, said the Xizang autonomous region's fire and rescue department in a recent press release.

The special unit oversees the Potala Palace, which is a UNESCO cultural heritage site.

The Potala Palace Fire and Rescue Brigade conducts daily routine inspections in the ancient buildings, checking over 1,000 rooms and nearly 10,000 butter lamps to keep the palace safe from fire.

"In response to the special situation where water cannot be used for fire suppression inside the palace, we use hexafluoropropane gas fire extinguishers," said Losang Tsering, the brigade's captain. "They maximize the protection of cultural relics in different application scenarios."

The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council honored the brigade with the national award for ethnic unity and progress on Sept 27.

According to the brigade, since the beginning of this year, it has rescued disabled individuals nine times, providing assistance to more than 80 disabled individuals.

They have been involved in more than 290 rescue missions for altitude sickness, high-altitude reactions, and injuries. Additionally, they have conducted fire safety education and training more than 70 times for many visitors, pilgrims, monks in temples and others, reaching over 8,000 individuals.