Building a 'shield' against fire from the grassroots

Most fire prevention and fighting teams in businesses are fully equipped with uniforms, protective gear and fire fighting equipment.

In recent months, the fire and explosion situation in the province has become complicated, causing damage to people and property, affecting social order and safety, the investment environment of enterprises and people's lives.

According to statistics, in the first 4 months of the year, the whole province had 37 fire and explosion incidents, killing 3 people and injuring 1 person (an increase in both the number of incidents, deaths and injuries compared to the same period in 2024). The total property damage caused by fire and explosion was 1.31 billion VND (an increase of nearly 800 million VND compared to the same period).

According to information from the authorities, the causes of fires and damages tend to increase largely due to human subjectivity, negligence in the use of fire and electrical system and equipment failures. In addition, currently, the work of ensuring fire prevention, fire fighting and rescue (PCCC&CNCH) safety conditions at the facility is still limited.

Based on that reality, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department (Provincial Police) has coordinated with units, localities, and enterprises to focus on building grassroots fire prevention teams. Up to now, the whole province has 2,119 grassroots fire prevention teams, with nearly 24,000 members.

Participating in a pioneering and voluntary spirit, members of the grassroots fire prevention and fighting teams are mostly young people, healthy enough, and have undergone training in fire prevention and fighting knowledge and skills. These are the active and core nuclei in launching the movement "All people participate in fire prevention and fighting" in residential areas, businesses, and schools.

Members of the Thai Market fire prevention and fighting team practice extinguishing a fire with a fire extinguisher.

The grassroots fire prevention and fighting teams also participate in monitoring the situation, actively coordinate and support the police force in plans and solutions to ensure fire safety. At the same time, they are an "extended arm" that effectively supports fire prevention and fighting propaganda as well as participates in fire fighting and rescue when fires and explosions occur.

Ms. Chu Thi Oanh, Director of Trung Tin Investment and Development Joint Stock Company in Thai Nguyen (the unit managing Thai market and Ba Hang market), said: At each market under management, the Company has established a grassroots fire prevention and fighting team with over 10 members. Every year, members are trained in professional skills, the use of hoses, fire extinguishers and other equipment; and instructed on how to handle initial fire and explosion incidents before the professional fire fighting force arrives.

Mr. Bui Gia Khoi, member of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Team of Residential Group 15, Hoang Van Thu Ward (Thai Nguyen City): In the residential area, most households have houses combined with production and business. Therefore, periodically and suddenly, we coordinate with the Ward Police to check and propagate fire prevention and fighting work at households, from the arrangement of goods, materials, equipment in the import and export areas to the use of on-site fire fighting equipment. At the same time, we criticize and remind households that violate the law.

In addition to focusing on building forces, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department also proactively advises and coordinates with local authorities, agencies, businesses, residential areas, etc. to build, consolidate and improve the quality of grassroots fire prevention and fighting teams. Every year, the unit coordinates to organize training courses, fire prevention and fighting skills training and practice on-site fire fighting plans for grassroots fire prevention and fighting forces so that this team is not confused or passive when fires and explosions occur.

Fire prevention and fighting teams are regularly trained in fire fighting knowledge and skills.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Son, Head of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department (Provincial Police): In training for grassroots fire prevention and fighting forces, we always aim to strengthen and improve the quality of activities of this team, contributing to the gradual socialization of fire prevention and fighting work and promoting the movement "All people participate in fire prevention and fighting".

Reality has also shown that many fires occurred when professional fire fighting forces had not yet arrived at the scene, but the grassroots fire fighting teams coordinated with local people to handle the situation promptly, preventing the fire from spreading or becoming larger. - Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Son

The hot season has now begun, and the risk of fire and explosion is always present. All levels and sectors are working together with the people to control and prevent the “fire”. In particular, creating “shields” at the grassroots level is essential to promptly detect and prevent damage caused by fire and explosion.

Identifying the key task in the coming time as continuing to promote the role of grassroots forces in fire prevention and fighting, the provincial authorities will continue to build grassroots fire prevention and fighting teams, increase regular and specialized fire prevention and fighting training courses. At the same time, pay attention to allocating funds for fire prevention and fighting training, gradually equipping fire fighting means and equipment for grassroots fire prevention and fighting forces...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202505/dung-la-changiac-lua-tu-co-so-2743d27/