The first "professional fire brigade" in the Forbidden City was established by Yong Zhengdi. Because Yong Zhengdi suffered a fire when he was young, he set up a fire prevention class after he took office. It consists of regular troops composed of officers and men of the Eight Banners and the Guards, and each duty station is equipped with a full set of fire fighting tools.

It is reported that in the three dynasties of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, there were no fewer than 200 people in each fire prevention class. Fire prevention, also called machine bucket, was a very advanced water diversion and fire extinguishing tool at that time. This kind of household fire extinguisher, also called "hose", is usually placed in the dormitory of the fire prevention class and is easy to carry when moving.

Ancient people's fire prevention methods

During the Shang Dynasty, several granaries were burned, and the fire was not small. It is recorded in the unearthed Oracle Bone Inscriptions, which is also the earliest record of fire after the appearance of words. Seeing the seriousness of the fire, the Shang Dynasty formulated the burning penalty. If the ashes abandoned on the road rekindle and cause a fire, they will be punished by breaking their hands.

The Zhou Dynasty stipulated that in mid-spring and February, officials in charge of palace fire should ring the big clock with mallets in the city to remind everyone of fire prevention. This is also the origin of the night watchman's call for the candle-every winter, near dusk, there will be waves in the street, "Be careful with the candle in winter, the water tank is full and the kitchen warehouse is clear."

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Guan Zhong said that the governance of "fire" was one of the major events related to the rich and the poor of the country, and put forward the opinion of amending the fire constitution. At that time, the person who held the ceremony had to hold the torch with his left hand to reduce the risk of tampering with the open flame. Hold the bowl in your right hand and pick up the ash at any time to prevent the residual fire from splashing.

In the Tang Dynasty, the organization responsible for making fires was called Wuhoupu, which was distributed in cities and workshops. The number of firefighters varies from 10 to 20 to hundreds, forming a fire communication system all over the city. Fire fighting tools are mostly bags woven from the skins of animals such as pigs, cows and sheep.