Free Web NovelChapter 276: Chapter 217: Exercise Failure
Five minutes later, the leaders of the detachments and big teams that participated arrived at the first-floor hall of the Cultural Palace.
The squadron leaders and soldiers who took part in the seven-story firefighting felt some unease in their hearts.
They were the only ones who had not completed the task successfully.
In the history of the detachment exercises, such an incident had never occurred; they only remembered constantly reloading their guns and increasing the pressure, frantically spraying water at the seventh floor.
Yet, they still failed.
Today, they probably would have to endure a harsh critique.
The observation group was really inconsiderate, what does "far from reaching the standards" mean?
Isn’t this a slap in our face?!
Zhang Zhongting looked down at the scene, but his face showed no anger. Seeing everyone gathered, he loudly began to organize the troops:
"Look right!"
"Look forward!"
"At ease!"
"Debriefing!"
After saluting, Zhang Zhongting’s opening word was like a thunderstrike.
"I announce that this exercise has failed!"
As the words fell, no one in the hall spoke, but the chiefs of various teams all looked at their own men with an inquiring gaze.
And with anger.
Today, the detachment unified the command, and orders were given directly to each squadron. They had all become idle bystanders, observing from the sidelines.
It seemed quite lively to watch, with smoke billowing out of the building one moment and water the next.
But Mother’s Smelly Pussy, what the hell happened, how could a drill fail?
Do they not want to work here anymore?
Seeing the situation, Zhang Zhongting thought that everyone’s reaction was just as he had expected and chuckled internally, then said:
"However, everyone’s performance today exceeded my expectations, and the tasks of each squadron were completed quite well!"
The sudden twist.
The quietness did not last, and discussions emerged.
How could the regimental commander speak without logic? If it was well done, then how could it fail?
Even the government propaganda member standing by, ready to record the event, was a bit perplexed, unsure if they should continue recording. frёeωebɳovel.com
Zhang Zhongting then pressed his hand down to quiet the discussions and said:
"The furniture market on the seventh floor being ignited and expected to be extinguished in half an hour was an impossible task from the start.
Boss Wu and I discussed and came up with this scenario!
We wanted to tell you that today, the exercise was destined to fail!
Our firefighting drills focus more on the results than the process, more on formality than effectiveness!
Aside from the fire pre-drills for special units, they hardly play any role in actual firefighting!
What is the reason? Leadership, that’s what—pinning down each and every step!
Does a disaster allow for a rehearsal? Will the fire only start burning, will the disaster only begin to happen, after the equipment and personnel arrive, and the commander shouts begin?
Can this approach be effective?
Everyone is afraid of failure!
Today, the leadership of the whole corps wants to take this opportunity to tell you! Detachment exercises can fail, big team exercises, and squadron exercises also have nothing that can’t fail!
A drill that can truly achieve real combat training effects is called an exercise! Otherwise, it can only be called an equipment performance test!
After this event, the detachment will soon issue a notice that "practice is actual combat". Each big team must conduct at least two different disaster-response drills every quarter, taking the troops out, simulating a real environment for combat-like training, real combat-like exercises!
Afterward, the squadron commanders and squad leaders will be regularly assessed and rotated through key training!
Use study to promote training, training to promote practice, and practice to promote battle readiness!
I have said so much, and I hope this exercise will provide a wake-up call to some leaders with vacant minds. In firefighting work, we face live ammunition every day, things that can be fatal, and I hope you drop the past fixation on paper results and actually work on producing real outcomes to substantially enhance the team’s professional skills!
That’s all I have to say. Of course, these words are to be kept behind closed doors. Once we go out, I will still announce the exercise a resounding success!"
Zhang Zhongting finished speaking and glanced at the recording staff.
The staff member gave a wry smile and covered the lens of the camera.
The soldiers all breathed a sigh of relief, wanting to laugh but not daring to.
The big team leadership, however, wore serious expressions.
...
The detachment’s exercise concluded with the rooftop-mounted water cannons and all the aerial ladders criss-crossing streams of water, amidst applause from the mayor and all present units.
In the early spring sunshine, everyone on the scene felt a hint of coolness from the fine mist carried by the breeze.
Fang Huai looked up and saw rainbows criss-crossing the sky.
This might be a beautiful scene only firefighters could witness.
Uncle’s words today, and this somewhat irrational exercise, gave him some new insights.
With brave people in the firefighting service who dare to speak the truth and do real work, it is lucky for the people, lucky for the soldiers. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
This path of rainbows was right in front of his eyes, as were so many role models, and he knew how he should go forward.
...
An hour later, in a black military-licensed sedan.
Zhang Kaimo was on the phone with Wu Kaimo.
Zhang Zhongting’s smug expression was far removed from the role model image Fang Huai had in his mind.
"Boss Wu, the task you set, all squadrons completed well today, and Mayor Liu has agreed; by the end of May, the municipality’s funding will be in place.
When can the project for Special Service Squadron 2 be initiated?"
However, Boss Wu didn’t follow his cue:
"End of May? Can’t you negotiate for it to come sooner?"
Zhang Zhongting frowned: "Right now on the detachment’s side... holding out till June shouldn’t be a problem, and it’s not too tight."
Boss Wu chuckled dryly: "The detachment might not be tight, but the whole corps is. There’s a 1.2 billion yuan budget expenditure for the provincial firefighting equipment bidding conference in July, and we’re still short by more than twenty million now."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhongting was stunned.
"The entire brigade is counting on our small sum? If Second Squadron starts its project and expansion, there are also a few county squadrons and city squadrons that need renovation this year—this bit of money will just barely be enough!"
"Tsk, the provincial finance is also facing difficulties. Zhongting, the word has come down, and you will soon join the leadership team of the whole regiment. We need to think of it as a whole game of chess, prioritizing significant moves! Once we’ve completed the bidding, the provincial finance will naturally have to make up the amount. Delaying some things until later, the entire brigade will naturally consider!
This is the most important equipment for the province this year!
I’ve already informed Political Commissar Cheng and Detachment Captain Li on your behalf, so don’t go stirring up trouble."
Boss Wu spoke earnestly, but Zhang Zhongting’s mind was filled with countless "Mother’s Smelly Pussy."
Zhang Zhongting took a deep breath and calmed himself down before asking:
"What about the project initiation?"
"Don’t worry, it’s just a matter of time! This matter will be accomplished during your tenure!
However, Special Service Squadron 2 also needs to be vigorously trained. We must not forget why we started this; it is to forge a leading model squadron for the entire brigade, and also to become the central base for the next step in position training and backbone rotation training!"
Zhang Zhongting had been busy with this matter since before the corps martial arts competition and had put in a great deal of effort.
Of course, the squadron leaders could not see this level of the picture.
Moreover, for a squadron, it’s an opportunity to ascend to the heavens, and for a leader like Zhang Zhongting, it’s also a significant achievement.
"Rest assured, Boss Wu, upgrading a squadron is akin to rebuilding one. Such a costly and labor-intensive effort must yield substantial results. The selection of key personnel for Second Squadron and the next steps of quality enhancement will start soon."
"Good, I’m looking forward to seeing the results."
Zhang Zhongting hung up the phone and looked out the window somewhat dazedly.
Being an official is not easy.
To do things well and earn merits, one must also be willing to humble themselves to seize opportunities.
In the end, one must stand at a higher position in order to do greater things, such as the specifics of today’s entire brigade’s equipment bidding budget, which he also had just learned about.
He wasn’t even 43 yet; if Fang Huai was striving to climb up, why wouldn’t he?
Every mountain has its own scenery, and Zhang Zhongting also wanted to see higher mountains.
