On June 26, the 11th Hangzhou Buddhist Community Firefighting Skills Competition took place at the Hangzhou International Buddhist Cultural Exchange Center. Ten teams from municipal Buddhist venues competed head-to-head in three practical events: "on-the-spot firefighter gear donning," "20-meter fire extinguisher operation drill," and "45-meter dual-hose firefighting drill." Through these exercises, the participants demonstrated their solid proficiency, reflecting the outcomes of routine fire safety training.
After fierce competition, the Lingyin Temple team won first place. The teams from Shang Tianzhu Faxi Temple and Zhong Tianzhu Fajing Temple tied for second place. Third place was awarded to Jingci Temple, the joint team of Yongfu Temple and Taoguang Temple, and the Hangzhou Buddhist Academy.
Since its inception in 2009, the Hangzhou Buddhist Community Firefighting Skills Competition has spanned 17 years. Over this period, the event has evolved from a single-drill exercise into a multi-discipline comprehensive competition, becoming a key driver in the standardized development of fire safety management among Hangzhou's Buddhist venues. All municipal venues use this platform to conduct regular firefighting training, establishing a long-term mechanism characterized by "monthly drills, quarterly assessments, and universal firefighting competency among all personnel." This system has effectively strengthened their emergency response capabilities in the event of sudden fires.
More than a decade of holding this annual competition has not only enhanced the fire safety awareness of monastic personnel but also cultivated a core group of fire safety professionals who are proficient in equipment operation and emergency response, fully achieving the goal of "promoting training through competition and advancing prevention through training." Going forward, Hangzhou's Buddhist community will continue to deepen collaboration with fire authorities, pushing venue safety management to a new level.
