A CIVILIAN fire station in Xidu community in Fengxian District has become the first non-military firefighting force in Shanghai to win the prestigious National 119 Fire Service Award, but station Vice Captain Li Xiaohang said it’s only a small step in a long-overdue overhaul of first responders.

The Xidu station was established by government of Fengxian’s Nanqiao Town as part of efforts to groom civilian firefighting teams to replace armed forces that currently provide firefighting services.

New regulations came into effect in November 1, encouraging the establishment of more civilian fire departments in densely populated areas. They are meant to address serious problems in the existing system. For one, military-based firefighting is beset by churn, as young soldiers complete their two-year stints and leave the army and the fire brigades. Shanghai has too few firefighters, who are low-paid and subject to high death rates.