On January 3, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 01/CT-TTg on strengthening fire prevention and fighting efforts in the new context.

The directive clearly states that in recent years, under the leadership and direction of the Party and the Government, along with the efforts of ministries, departments, agencies, local authorities, and functional forces, with the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police Force as the core unit, the fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts have made significant progress, affirming its position, role, and significance in safeguarding national security, ensuring social order and safety, protecting citizens’ lives and health, and helping to create a secure environment to support the country’s socio-economic development in the current period.

However, in recent times, fires, explosions, incidents, and accidents have become increasingly complex, particularly in residential areas, high-rise apartment buildings, industrial zones, markets, production and business facilities, karaoke venues, etc. Some incidents have resulted in multiple fatalities, severe psychological distress, significant material losses for citizens, and negative impacts on social safety and security, causing public concern. The above situation stems from multiple causes, but primarily from the rapid economic and social development of the country, while fire prevention and fighting infrastructure has not been adequately invested in and developed; the planning and development of industries, sectors, and localities have not placed sufficient emphasis on fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts; the state management of fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts has been neglected in some areas, lacking strict oversight and being largely left to specialized forces; the inspection, supervision, and handling of violations have not been strictly enforced, with many places conducting them in a superficial and perfunctory manner; there has been little effort to analyze the causes of fire incidents to draw lessons, clearly identify responsibilities, and impose strict penalties as a deterrent and preventive measure; sanctions and penalties are not stringent enough to serve as an effective deterrent; a significant portion of the population remains unaware of or does not fully grasp the importance of fire prevention, explosion control, and emergency response, often displaying a complacent attitude and underestimating these efforts; investment in infrastructure and resources for fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts remains limited and insufficient to meet the demands and responsibilities of the task.

The current situation regarding fires, explosions, incidents, and accidents is serious, creating an urgent need for new mindsets, awareness, methods, and approaches in leadership, management, administration, and implementation. This includes authorities at all levels, sectors, Party committees, and local authorities, with the core being the professional firefighting and rescue forces, and requires high public awareness. Fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts must be guided by the principle that people are at the center; the citizens’ lives and safety must always take precedence; fire and explosion safety are fundamental to economic and social development, as well as ensuring the country’s political stability, order, and social security. Prevention must be the priority in fire prevention and fighting. Prevention is “building,” while fighting is “resisting.” Prevention should be viewed as “fundamental, strategic, and long-term,” with a strong focus on fire prevention to minimize the need for firefighting. This approach follows the motto: Safety for every household; Safety for every factory, enterprise, and business; Safety for every neighborhood; Safety for every commune, ward, and town. It is essential to mobilize all available forces and community participation in firefighting, especially within the “golden window” of five minutes from the outbreak of a fire, following the principle “Firefighting forces from the people; Equipment from the people; Logistics from the people; Command from the people.”

Objectives for fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts: Efforts must be made to prevent, curb, and ultimately eliminate catastrophic fires that result in fatalities due to human negligence. Public awareness must be heightened; knowledge and skills in handling fire, explosion, incidents, and accidents of people in fire prevention and fighting and rescue must be enhanced.

The Prime Minister has instructed ministries, departments, agencies, Party committees, and local authorities to direct and organize the rigorous implementation of the following tasks and solutions in the coming time.

Strictly and effectively enforce Directive No. 47-CT/TW dated June 25, 2015, issued by the 11th Party Secretariat, on strengthening the Party’s leadership in fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts; Conclusion No. 02-KL/TW dated May 18, 2021, issued by the 13th Party Secretariat, reinforcing the execution of Directive No. 47-CT/TW; Resolution No. 99/2019/QH14 dated November 27, 2019, issued by the National Assembly, aiming at completing and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of fire prevention and fighting policies and laws; Decision No. 630/QD-TTg dated May 11, 2020, issued by the Prime Minister, which sets forth an implementation plan for the National Assembly’s resolution on completing and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of fire prevention and fighting policies and laws (Resolution No.630/QD-TTg); Decision No. 1492/QD-TTg dated September 10, 2021, issued by the Prime Minister, which outlines the execution of Conclusion No. 02-KL/TW and other legal documents on fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts (Decision No. 1492/QD-TTg); Official Dispatch No. 319/TB-VPCP dated October 5, 2022, issued by the Government Office, announcing Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s conclusions at the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Conference and the five-year review of Decree No. 83/2017/NĐ-CP, dated July 18, 2017, on rescue effort of the fire prevention and fighting force (Official Dispatch No. 319/TB-VPCP).

Innovate mindset, awareness, methods, approaches, and execution in fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts to align with the demands of the current situation. Clearly define the position, role, and significance of fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts as an important, essential, and indispensable task in economic and social development, treating it as a regular, necessary, and daily responsibility. Ministries, sectors, and local authorities must strictly and fully implement their responsibilities in state management of fire prevention, fighting, and rescue according to legal regulations. The heads of Party committees and local governments shall be held accountable if high-risk fire and explosion facilities operate without meeting fire safety conditions or if serious fire incidents occur due to a lack of leadership, direction, inspection, supervision, or failure to fulfill their management responsibilities in fire prevention and rescue efforts.

Focus on reviewing, amending, supplementing, and improving policies and laws on fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts to promptly meet the practical needs of economic and social development, ensuring consistency and uniformity within the legal system. Continue refining standards, regulations, and procedures for fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts in line with practical conditions, the country’s economic and social development, and the management and production capabilities of relevant organizations and individuals. Emphasize research and the development of strategies, plans, and fire prevention, fighting, and rescue measures, particularly in key national areas and constructions, urban centers, industrial zones, commercial areas with high fire and explosion risks, and special-use and protective forests. Develop and implement synchronized fire safety infrastructure planning in connection with economic and social development planning across sectors and localities, building transportation networks, water supply systems, and communication networks that meet the demands of firefighting and rescue efforts.

Continue innovating the content and forms of public communication, fostering a broad and in-depth nationwide movement for fire prevention, fighting, and rescue that is easy to understand and acquire, using specific solutions to create significant changes in awareness and actions among all levels of government, sectors, and the public regarding fire prevention, fighting, and rescue. Strengthen the dissemination and education of fire prevention, fighting, and rescue knowledge and skills for all societal groups, particularly students and young labor forces. Utilize information technology to support the dissemination and education of legal regulations, knowledge, and skills about fire prevention, fighting, and rescue. Foster a nationwide movement for fire prevention, fighting, and rescue; expand fire safety models in residential areas, households, and high-risk facilities and areas; ensure timely recognition and commendation of organizations and individuals with outstanding achievements.

Tighten discipline, enhance governance, and improve the effectiveness of state management in fire prevention, fighting, and rescue. All violations of fire safety regulations must be strictly handled according to the law, and non-compliant facilities must be required to rectify safety deficiencies. Publicly disclose individuals and organizations that violate fire safety regulations through mass media, continuously warn surrounding communities, and impose strict legal penalties on those who deliberately put projects, buildings, or facilities into operation without meeting fire safety requirements, leading to severe consequences. Inspections, audits, and guidance for regulated facilities must be conducted rigorously and strictly and adhere to regulations to avoid negativity, corruption, personal interests, and group interests.

Strengthen and consolidate personnel and infrastructure for community firefighting teams, on-site fire prevention units, and specialized fire safety forces to ensure practical and effective operations. Establish a close coordination mechanism between the Police, Military, and other forces in executing firefighting and rescue missions. Regularly organize training, drills, and practice sessions for fire, explosion, and rescue incident response plans and scenarios.

Increase investment in fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts; build and equip logistics and infrastructure for firefighting and rescue police forces. Focus resources on building and synchronously developing infrastructure and technical systems for fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts (including transportation, water supply, communication, incident and accident warning systems, etc.). Research, apply, and transfer modern firefighting and rescue technologies suitable for the country’s situation and development. Urgently study and enhance the application of information technology and digital transformation in fire prevention, fighting, and rescue efforts. Mobilize all lawful resources (including public-private partnerships and socialization) to procure fire prevention, fighting, and rescue equipment.