Strengthen inspection and raise awareness of fire prevention and fighting at the end of the year

Potential risks

Vinh Market - the largest commercial center of the province is designed with 3 floors above ground, 1 basement, the total floor area of ​​4 floors is 33,000 m². At the end of the year, along with the increasing number of visitors and shoppers, the amount of goods is also gathered by small traders, including many flammable items such as fabrics, clothes, etc. Therefore, the work of ensuringFire protectionalways be of interest to the Market Management Board.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Dac - Head of Vinh Market Management Board: Along with organizing fire prevention drills for traders, the unit has inspected and supplemented fire prevention tools, as well as repaired and replaced damaged electrical equipment. To promptly detect and handle fire and explosion incidents, the unit also coordinates with Fire Prevention and Rescue Team No. 1 to strengthen inspection work and maintain a 24/7 duty regime.

Firefighters extinguished a fire at an electronics supermarket in Hoang Mai town. Photo: CSCC

However, according to Mr. Dac, because of the large amount of goods coming in during Tet to serve people's shopping needs, there are times and places where they are not neatly arranged, not to mention shoppers still use lighters to smoke... so the Market Management Board still has to arrange staff to check and remind.

This is also the reality at many traditional markets in the area such as Quan Banh market, Quan Lau market, Ga market... Observation shows that the arrangement of goods at points of sale and goods gathering points is still messy, obstructing, blocking, and blocking the exits if a fire occurs.

In addition, on this occasion, at houses that combine production and business, furniture and goods are also concentrated, placed close to power sources and heat sources, piled up in front. If a fire occurs, it will not only block the escape route but also risk the fire spreading faster, at the same time causing many difficulties for the authorities to access in time to put out the fire, rescue, and rescue...

Fire prevention and fighting police inspect karaoke service business. Photo: D.C.

Or at karaoke business locations, it is easy to see that these establishments are designed in a box shape, with the characteristic of being a place where many people often gather. Most of the singing rooms are designed to be closed, with narrow corridors; soundproofed with flammable materials such as foam, sponge, leather... Along with that, the use of large power sources, heat sources with sound systems, laser systems operating continuously; the situation of customers using lighters to light candles to celebrate birthdays, smoking... is common, so there is always a high risk of fire and explosion.

Not to mention, at small and medium-sized karaoke businesses, many of which are combined residential and business establishments, many shortcomings and inadequacies are clearly revealed, such as not equipping or installing fire alarm and fire fighting systems; emergency exits, escape routes, and escape stairs are not of sufficient size and quantity; fire prevention and fighting equipment is not sufficient or not uniform; emergency lighting and escape instructions are not maintained in regular operation; materials and equipment are arranged to hinder rescue work, blocking and blocking emergency exits, etc.

Resolutely handle existing problems and violations

To improve the effectiveness of state management of fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue, with the aim of preventing fires and explosions with particularly serious consequences and deaths due to subjective causes from occurring in the province; :Strictly implementing Notice No. 319/TB-VPCP dated October 5, 2022 of the Government Office on the conclusion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the National Online Conference on Fire Prevention and Fighting and the 5-year review of the implementation of Decree No. 83/2017/ND-CP dated July 18, 2017 of the Government regulating the rescue work of the Fire Prevention and Fighting force and Plan No. 513/KH-BCA-C07 dated October 7, 2022 of the Ministry of Public Security on the general review and inspection of fire prevention and fighting and rescue safety nationwide, on October 12, 2022, Nghe An Provincial Police issued a Plan for the general review and inspection of fire prevention and fighting and rescue safety in the whole province.

With the participation of the entire political system, along with timely, drastic and effective measures and solutions to implement the peak period, the Provincial Police completed the general review and inspection of fire safety and rescue in the area on December 5, 2022, 10 days ahead of schedule compared to the deadline set by the Ministry of Public Security. Accordingly, 28,625/28,362 establishments were inspected (reaching a rate of 101%). Of which, 287 cases were fined (330 violations, including 33 violations in construction investment work, 297 violations during operation) with a total fine of more than VND 3,022,250,000; 5 cases were suspended (including 3 karaoke and bar establishments); 206 cases were temporarily suspended (including 45 karaoke, bar and discotheque establishments).

Checking fire prevention and fighting conditions at karaoke establishments and bars in Vinh City. Photo: D.C.

In the coming time, it is forecasted that the production, business and storage of goods for the Lunar New Year and festivals in early 2023 will increase; high electricity consumption will overload businesses and houses; dry weather will lead to risks of fire safety. Therefore, the Provincial People's Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 31/CD-UBND dated November 29, 2022 on strengthening fire prevention and fighting before, during and after the Lunar New Year and Spring festivals in 2023. In which, it clearly states the roles and responsibilities of provincial departments, branches, sectors, mass organizations and People's Committees of districts, cities and towns, especially the responsibilities of heads of all levels of government, heads of agencies, enterprises and units in organizing fire prevention and fighting and rescue work.

Deploying fire prevention and fighting drills at entertainment establishments. Photo: PCCC

Based on the general instructions, the Provincial Police continue to direct the Police of units and localities to inspect fire safety and rescue for 100% of establishments under the State management of fire safety, focusing on closely inspecting business establishments with security and order conditions, large-scale establishments, crowded establishments, and establishments with high fire and explosion hazards. Resolutely and thoroughly handle existing problems and violations of fire safety according to regulations, absolutely not allowing establishments that do not ensure fire safety, have been temporarily suspended, or have their operations suspended to continue operating illegally, causing insecurity.

Colonel Nguyen Duy Thanh - Deputy Director of Nghe An Police

Colonel Nguyen Duy Thanh - Deputy Director of the Provincial Police Department inspects fire prevention and fighting work at karaoke establishments in the province. Photo: Chu Minh

Along with that, strengthen propaganda and training on fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue in the area with diverse and rich forms, suitable for each subject and area to raise awareness and sense of compliance with the law on fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue of agencies, organizations and people in the whole province; guide people in using gas, electricity, chemicals, arranging and storing goods, equipping fire prevention and fighting equipment, escape, emergency escape...

However, in addition to the efforts of the authorities, each citizen, especially business and trading owners, needs to raise their sense of responsibility in complying with fire prevention and fighting regulations, contributing to ensuring the safety of life and property for themselves and everyone else.