Strengthening fire rescue forces across Vietnam

After 3 years of the Prime Minister's Decision No. 44, Fire Prevention and Rescue Police forces have responded to nearly 1600 incidents, and more than 2,300 fires. The force also provides guidance to tens of thousands of people. In particular, the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police force in HCM City provided nearly a quarter of rescue services.

"When a serious incident comes up, we often report to authorities, and they determine what forces should solve the problem. In the moment, the responsibilities of police forces in general and firefighting police forces in particular are sometimes unclear." - Colonel LE TAN BUU, Director, Ho Chi Minh City's Firefighting and Fire Prevention Department.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, the results of some recent accidents have shown confusion in coordinating forces. Take the rescue service for British tourists in Sapa or the gold mining in Ba Thước, Thanh Hóa for instance, where decision no. 44 has not been specified.

"Recently, with Decision No.44, we have worked more efficiently. However, there are still some negatives related to operations or proper conditions needed to carry out the work. Hence, the legal base needs to be strengthened and there should be one decree from the government on firefighting and fire prevention." - Major General DOAN VIET MANH, Head, Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department, Ministry of Public Security.

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình asked the Ministry of Public Security to quickly draft a new decree on fire protection and rescue and submit it to the government to replace decision No.44.

"The people's committees under the central government should investment more in firefighting and fire prevention. Also, the Ministry of Public Security should build a proper system, as well as coordinate all  forces when fighting fires." - Deputy Prime Minister TRUONG HOA BINH.

The Ministry of Public Security said the draft decree on fire prevention and rescue was completed and will be sent to ministries for consideration before being submitted to the Government. This Decree will be an important basis to develop fire protection and rescue forces.