BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The reform of China's recruitment system for firefighters will help form a national rescue team with enhanced professionalism, Wednesday's China Daily reported.

Firefighters who were once part of the military put on new blue uniforms last month that reflected their new identity: They are now part of the China Fire and Rescue team under the Ministry of Emergency Management, according to the newspaper.

Recruitment of firefighters has been changed as well.

Recruits must have at least high school education and serve a minimum period of five years, the newspaper cited a new government guideline as saying.

Previously, firefighters were recruited under the Military Service Law and were managed as soldiers. Under that law, Chinese citizens could enroll to serve from age 18 to 22. The new guideline lifted the age limit of firefighters to 24.

Recruited firefighters will receive training in their first year and work as interns in the second year before assuming full duties - an arrangement in line with the objective of fostering professionalism, the newspaper quoted a statement from the Ministry of Emergency Management as saying.