Fire prevention and firefighting is the responsibility of every individual and every household.

PV:Could you please tell us about some of the outstanding achievements in fire prevention and rescue work in the recent past?

Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Thanh:Strictly implementing the work of maintaining readiness for combat, from the beginning of the year until now, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of the Provincial Police has deployed 362 fire trucks along with 2,318 officers and soldiers, directly participating in timely and effective firefighting and rescue operations in fires and accidents occurring in the province.

He guided hundreds of people to safety during fires and other incidents; directly rescued 3 people; searched for and recovered 21 bodies of victims of drowning and accidents; the value of property saved is estimated at hundreds of billions of VND, and dozens of hectares of forest were protected.

In addition, the Police DepartmentFire Prevention and RescueThey developed plans and deployed 42 vehicles and 368 officers and soldiers to participate in ensuring security, order, and fire safety for political, cultural, and social events taking place in the province. They coordinated and organized 46 fire fighting drills, mobilizing various forces and resources; and guided 1,638 establishments to independently conduct fire fighting drills.

PV: It is known that many models such as "Neighborhood Fire Safety Teams" and "Public Firefighting Stations" have been established in the province. How do you assess the effectiveness of these models?

Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Thanh:To date, Nghe An province has established and put into operation 1,118 "Neighborhood Fire Safety Teams" and 2,197 "Public Fire Fighting Stations".

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In 2024, the Provincial People's Committee successfully organized the Provincial Fire Safety Team Competition, and the Nghe An provincial team won first prize overall in the second round of the national "Fire Safety Team Competition," region III, held in Binh Dinh.

The "Safe Neighborhood Fire Prevention and Control Group" and "Public Firefighting Point" models have contributed to raising awareness and a sense of responsibility regarding fire prevention and control among the local population.

The model's operation acts as an "extension" of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police force to local areas and facilities. This minimizes fire and explosion incidents and enhances the skills in using on-site firefighting equipment and tools when fire or explosion incidents occur.

Monitoring has shown that after implementing various models throughout the province, over 60% of fires were extinguished by local fire fighting forces and the community. Particularly, fires in households and combined residential and business settings were promptly detected by neighborhood fire safety teams and the community. They used available fire-fighting equipment to control and extinguish the fires, preventing them from spreading, and simultaneously organized evacuations and moved property in a timely manner, minimizing casualties and property damage.

Therefore, implementing the "Safe Neighborhood Fire Prevention and Control Team" model and the "Public Firefighting Point" model is very practical in promoting the "four on-the-spot" principle, making good use of the "golden moment" in firefighting; enhancing proactiveness and mutual support among families in a residential area, and simultaneously preparing the necessary means and equipment to organize firefighting, rescue, and relief efforts when fires or explosions occur.

The practical implementation of the "Safe Neighborhood Fire Prevention and Control Group" model is that, in addition to each family equipping themselves with fire-fighting and rescue equipment, and inspecting and maintaining fire safety conditions in their own homes, when a fire occurs, neighboring families in the group receive a fire alarm signal to promptly support each other in deploying fire-fighting and rescue efforts, preventing the fire from spreading and causing serious consequences.

PV:To continue effectively carrying out fire prevention and control tasks in the coming period, what tasks and solutions will the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police force focus on, Comrade?

Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Thanh:In the coming period, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police force will continue to strengthen its intelligence gathering efforts, improve the quality and effectiveness of its advisory work, and effectively perform its function as the Standing Agency of the Provincial Fire Prevention and Rescue Steering Committee. It will also advise on the comprehensive and in-depth dissemination and implementation of the Law on Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Rescue (expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at the 8th Session (October 2024)).

This includes focusing on implementing several important policies such as addressing existing problems and difficulties in fire prevention and control for construction projects; strengthening social participation and mobilizing social resources in the field of fire prevention and control and rescue; and creating conditions for further expansion of fire prevention and control activities for establishments and businesses.

In addition, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police force continues to strengthen its propaganda work with rich and diverse content, forms, and methods, suitable for each type and target group; building a strong movement of all citizens participating in fire prevention and control in the province, following the "four on-the-spot" principle. It will develop, supplement, and replicate outstanding advanced models and exemplary cases; and at the same time, publicly announce on mass media outlets cases of particularly serious violations of fire prevention and control laws that are slow or have not been rectified, so that departments, agencies, localities, and the people can participate in monitoring.

The Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Force continues to improve the quality of fire safety inspections, promptly detecting shortcomings and loopholes, and strictly handling cases of violations of fire safety regulations. At the same time, they are strengthening their readiness and ensuring the availability of personnel and equipment to promptly handle and respond to incidents at crowded locations and areas where events and festivals are taking place.

PV: Could you please tell us about the purpose, significance, and message of the National Fire Prevention and Fighting Day?

Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Thanh:On October 4, 1961, President Ho Chi Minh signed the Decree promulgating the Ordinance regulating the State's management of fire prevention and control. This is one of the earliest ordinances issued by our State, demonstrating the importance of fire prevention and control.

To enhance the effectiveness of state management over fire prevention and fighting activities, protect human lives and health, protect state, organizational, and individual property, protect the environment, and ensure political security and social order, the 10th National Assembly passed the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting. The law, effective from October 4, 2001, clearly stipulates that fire prevention and fighting is the responsibility of every agency, organization, household, and individual in Vietnam. The law also designates October 4th of each year as "National Fire Prevention and Fighting Day".

In reality, fires and explosions can occur anytime, anywhere if we are complacent or negligent. The consequences of fires and explosions are very serious, affecting public order and security, as well as the lives and property of everyone. Building a nationwide movement to participate in fire prevention and control is a regular and long-term measure with significant strategic importance in managing fire prevention and control work.

Therefore, along with the fire prevention and rescue police force, every citizen, every local government, every agency and organization needs to actively participate in the nationwide fire prevention movement, considering it one of the important tasks.

On the occasion of National Fire Prevention and Control Day, let's spread the message together: "Fire prevention and control is everyone's responsibility; preventing fires and explosions is the happiness of every family."

PV: Thank you, comrade!