Chuong My focuses on "extinguishing fires" at the grassroots level.

Identifying fire hazards

Many alleyways in Quang Bi commune (Chuong My district) have been built with gates by residents, preventing fire trucks from accessing them and increasing damage in case of fire. *Photo: Kim Nhue*

Quang Bi is one of the oldest communes with the highest population density in Chuong My district. Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Duy Tuan, Head of the Quang Bi Commune Police, said that the area has many fire hazards due to the presence of over 2,000 houses combined with production, business, and guesthouse facilities. In particular, there are 20 narrow alleys where residents have built archways, making it impossible for fire trucks to access. The locality lacks a centralized clean water supply network, so there are no hydrants for firefighting...

Similarly, Phu Nghia commune faces a high risk of fire due to thousands of households engaged in rattan, bamboo, and wicker weaving. Houses there frequently contain flammable materials and products. Furthermore, many residents have a complacent attitude, believing that large, low-rise houses offer easy escape in case of fire. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, Lo Van Cuong, expressed concern: "If a fire occurs, the damage will be immeasurable..."

Many houses in Phu Nghia commune (Chuong My district) are used in combination with traditional handicraft production, employing flammable materials. *Photo: Kim Thoa*

Speaking with a reporter from Hanoi Moi Newspaper, Major Ta Quang Duc, Deputy Team Leader of the Staff Team (Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Police Department, Hanoi City Police), in charge of the Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Team in Chuong My District, said that the shortcomings in Quang Bi and Phu Nghia are a common situation in many communes and towns in the area.

Through review and inspection, authorities have discovered 107 buildings that have not been inspected and approved for fire safety but have already been put into operation by the investors. These buildings are mainly kindergards, preschools, private medical facilities, and buildings that violate land use and construction regulations.

In particular, the transportation system in the district still has many shortcomings, with 24 road barriers and 157 narrow roads and alleys longer than 200m, where residents have built gates and entrances that prevent fire trucks from moving. In addition, the encroachment on roads and sidewalks for awnings and canopies also hinders the access of fire trucks, rescue vehicles, and especially ladder trucks...

Promoting the role of the people and the grassroots level.

To address these risks, Chuong My district has been implementing various solutions, with particular emphasis on promoting the role of the people and the grassroots level.

Firefighters from the Hanoi City Police Department inspect and instruct residents of Quang Bi commune (Chuong My district) on the use of fire-fighting equipment. *Photo: Kim Nhue*

According to Vu Van Manh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Bi commune, the commune has established 5 neighborhood groups consisting of 8-10 households living close together to "extinguish fires" as soon as they occur; built 38 public fire prevention and fighting points; and coordinated with the fire police force to organize awareness campaigns on the causes of fires and explosions, escape skills, handling situations, and fire prevention measures at the household level. In addition, the commune police regularly cooperate with hamlets to disseminate information and organize households to sign commitments on fire prevention and fighting. Thanks to these efforts, for many years, Quang Bi commune has not experienced any serious fires or explosions causing significant damage...

Hanoi city police instruct residents of Truong Yen commune (Chuong My district) on how to handle fire incidents. *Photo: Vu Lien*

Examining fire prevention and fighting efforts in communes and towns such as Xuan Mai, Chuc Son, Trung Hoa, Truong Yen, etc., reveals that these localities are all concerned with disseminating information and building a nationwide fire prevention and fighting movement in residential areas, creating a combined force in fire prevention work.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Giap, the owner of a house combined with a business in Quang Bi commune, shared: "My family and the other 9 families in the neighborhood group voluntarily spent nearly 2 million VND to equip ourselves with fire extinguishers, fire alarms, crowbars, hammers, pliers, and escape ropes; and fully participated in training courses to update our knowledge and skills in fire prevention and firefighting...".

Hanoi city police regularly coordinate with businesses and residential areas in Chuong My district to conduct drills on handling fire and explosion incidents. *Photo: Kim Nhue*

Major Ta Quang Duc emphasized: "When fires and explosions occur, the people themselves are one of the most effective firefighting forces. If the local forces know how to handle the initial situation, the damage will be significantly reduced."

In fact, Chuong My district has always focused on building a "firefighting" force at the grassroots level. To date, the district has maintained and developed the civil defense force (207 teams with 2,136 people), the grassroots fire prevention and fighting force (574 teams with 5,270 people), and the specialized fire prevention and fighting force (1 team with 15 people). The fire prevention and fighting teams are equipped with fire prevention, fighting, and rescue equipment and receive regular training.

In addition, the district has implemented community-based fire prevention and fighting models, such as: "Safe neighborhood fire prevention and fighting groups" (256 groups) and "Public fire fighting points" (256 points). The district has mobilized 77,711 households to equip themselves with fire extinguishers and 79,297 households to equip themselves with rudimentary demolition tools. Notably, 100% of houses combining residential and production/business activities with cages or enclosures have been dismantled and a second escape route created.

400 students from Chuc Son B Town Kindergarten (Chuong My District) recently practiced fire escape skills. *Photo: Vu Lien*

It is evident that Chuong My district has made many efforts in fire prevention and control, especially in mobilizing the strength of the people and promoting the role of the grassroots level. However, to further minimize damage caused by fires and explosions, the district needs to continue strengthening management, inspection, and propaganda measures, and resolutely handle violations of fire prevention and control regulations.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/chuong-my-chu-trong-dap-lua-ngay-tu-co-so-700726.html