Con Dao conducts forest fire fighting drill.

Báo Tài nguyên Môi trường•19/12/2023

In order to proactively manage forest fire prevention and control, enhance leadership and management capacity, improve coordination and mobilization of forces according to the "four on-the-spot" principle, and proactively respond promptly to minimize damage caused by forest fires, Con Dao district (Ba Ria - Vung Tau province) organized a district-level forest fire fighting drill in 2023.

300 officers and soldiers from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police, along with units from the armed forces, forest rangers, militia forces, community forest protection teams, medical staff, and hundreds of firefighting vehicles and equipment, were mobilized to participate in the exercise.

The scenario presented is that during a patrol, the Forest Ranger force discovered a forest fire at the end of the Ben Dam route in Con Dao district and quickly mobilized forces along with firefighting equipment and machinery to the scene to control the fire.

However, due to the hot weather and strong winds, the fire spread rapidly, with flames reaching heights of 10 to 15 meters. Therefore, the Head of the Forest Protection Department reported the incident to the Head of the Steering Committee for the Sustainable Forestry Development Program in Con Dao District to report the fire and request the mobilization of forces and resources in the district to participate in firefighting.

In response to the situation, the Steering Committee for the Sustainable Forestry Development Program in Con Dao District mobilized 300 people, including officers and soldiers from the fire department, armed forces units, forest rangers, militia forces, community forest protection teams, medical staff, etc., along with 3 fire trucks, 2 water tankers, and hundreds of other firefighting equipment and vehicles, to quickly arrive at the scene and implement firefighting plans.

After two hours of firefighting efforts by the forces, the fire was completely brought under control, ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment involved in firefighting. The existing forest area was also protected.

Mr. Nguyen Khac Pho, Director and Head of the Forest Protection Department of Con Dao National Park, said that Con Dao is an island district located far from the mainland, with a total natural area of about 76 square ^kilometers , but up to 80% of its area is forest. Forests have immense value for socio-economic development, national defense and security, environmental protection, climate regulation, and freshwater regulation on the island. In addition, Con Dao's forests have a rich and diverse flora and fauna. This is a strength for the locality to develop ecotourism. For many years, the Party Committee, Government, military, and people of Con Dao district have always done a good job of protecting forests and preventing forest fires, preventing any forest fires from occurring. Therefore, the 2023 district-level forest fire fighting exercise aims to continue to raise awareness and vigilance on forest fire prevention and control among all residents and tourists. It also aims to practice coordinated and collaborative fire fighting plans between agencies, units, and residential areas in the district.

Observations from the exercise showed that the participating firefighting forces had a thorough understanding of the exercise plan and scenario, and strictly followed the orders of the Exercise Command. The forest firefighting procedures and techniques were correct and accurate. Coordination between forces and equipment was smooth. Communication was uninterrupted.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Truong Giang, Head of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Team of Con Dao District Police, said that thanks to thorough preparation in all aspects and close coordination between forces, the 2023 district-level forest fire fighting exercise in Con Dao district took place according to plan, ensuring absolute safety for people and property.

The drill aims to help localities proactively manage forest fire prevention and control, and to familiarize forces with and proficiently use the tools, machinery, and equipment provided. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for Con Dao district to review, supplement, and refine its forest fire prevention, control, and protection plans to suit the actual situation in the locality.

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