Blazing a trail

Show gives celebrities an opportunity to experience the everyday life, dangers and rewards of firefighters, Xing Wen reports.

Most flee from fire, but there are those whose job is to run toward the danger. Firefighting is undoubtedly a highly demanding, widely respected, and sometimes risky profession. People are rightly unstinting in their praise of skilled, fearless firefighters with strong physiques, describing them as "knights in shining armor".

Finding out what their job entails should make fascinating viewing.

An online reality show has tackled this subject. Airing on Tencent Video, it gives six celebrities, aged from 19 to 38, the opportunity to experience every aspect of life as a firefighter.

The 10-episode show, titled First In Last Out, with actors Zhang Han, Wei Daxun and Zhang Binbin, crosstalk performer Qin Xiaoxian, singer Zhang Yanqi as well as pop idol Zhang Jiayuan, was produced with the cooperation of the Fire and Rescue Department, Ministry of Emergency Management.

It requires the celebrities to undertake intensive physical training and learn about fire prevention before they can respond to various types of emergencies. It hopes to bring viewers closer to the intense but rewarding everyday experiences of firefighters through the eyes of the six novices.

Chi Yuan, the reality show's chief director, says that our image of a firefighter is of someone courageous in times of emergency, such as fires, earthquakes and floods. They seem distant from our daily lives, Chi adds.