Colonel Nguyễn Minh Khương, deputy head of the Police Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue. Photo cand.com.vn

Colonel Nguyễn Minh Khương, deputy head of the Police Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue, speaks with Vietnam News Agency about the devotion of firefighters to fulfilling their task after the deaths of three firefighters at a fire in Cầu Giấy District on August 1.

What has been done to support the families of the three fallen firefighters?

The blaze at a karaoke bar in Hà Nội’s Cầu Giấy District caused the loss of three firefighters. The burning building’s ceiling collapsed, trapping them inside. They sacrificed themselves in the line of duty. It is a huge loss to the fire police force and the People’s Pubilc Security force.

The Ministry of Public Security has directed relevant departments and Hà Nội Police Department to support the three fallen firefighters’ families. The ministry decided to promote posthumously all three for bravely sacrificing themselves while on duty.

The ministry will continue to co-operate with relevant departments to implement regimes and policies in accordance with the provisions of the law for the three firefighters killed in the fire.

What are the challenges that the fire prevention and fighting police have to tackle?

Firefighting is a difficult job that always results in dangerous situations. The dangers come from the heat of the fire and smoke, which can take a toll on the respiratory system.

Other dangers include the risk of buildings collapsing or explosions that firefighters are not warned about in advance.

The fire prevention and fighting police have regulations and procedures to ensure the safety of firefighters, however, there are still many unexpected situations that happened on the spot. That’s why we always bear in mind that in choosing to join the service, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves to protect and save people’s lives.

The fire police force fight to extinguish the fire at a karaoke bar in Cầu Giấy District, Hà Nội on August 1. VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

What are your thoughts about the job’s dangers, especially after the recent loss of three firefighters on duty?

The incident is a lesson for the fire police force and the police force about the need to improve the training and working ability of fire police, to help them better skills to reduce risks at work.

In addition, we also propose to equip firefighters with better facilities and equipment, to ensure their safety while on duty.

What is the quality of the fire police force's equipment now?

The force is equipped with the necessary tools. However, many firefighters only wear a normal protective suit. Currently, there are not many specialised protective suits, which can be used in a fire at a high level of heat, 200 to 300 Celcius degrees, for a long time.

The Ministry of Public Security will report to the Government to equip firefighters with specialised protective suits to ensure their safety.

We will strive to provide each firefighter with a fire fighting suit including shoes, boots, suit, helmet, gloves and breathing apparatus.

What do you think about the brave fighting spirit and the sacrifice of firefighters when they are on duty?

I cannot use words to express how brave they are. The whole force is always in a state of readiness to face dangerous and unexpected fire situations. They always try their best to fulfil their work.

While people run from a fire, firefighters go to search and rescue people who are trapped inside and also prevent the risk of the fire from spreading.

Normally, there is not much information about the fire, so firefighters have to approach the fire and rescue victims. When everyone is safe they can begin extinguishing the fire.

In spite of all the dangers, firefighters are always willing to fight fires to save people. Sometimes they even sacrifice themselves to save others.

The death of three firefighters recently is a huge loss to our police force.

What should we do to spread the example of bravery and sacrifice?

The Ministry of Public Security has called for this example of bravery and sacrifice by these three firefighters to be spread throughout the People's Public Security force, especially to the young officers in the force, so they can learn from this heroic sacrifice and continue to strive and train to devote themselves to fulfilling their missions.

As for the fire police force, we will strive to train and improve our skills, not only to complete our tasks, but also to ensure our own safety.

I also hope that people can learn about fire prevention, fighting and rescue so they can save themselves and their families in case a fire breaks out.

Households must fully comply with regulations on fire prevention and safety and heed the recommendations of fire police forces to minimise the risk of fire and explosions.

If there is a fire, people should stay calm, tackle the fire or escape from the area. Each family should have its own escape plan for emergency situations. I think this will help reduce the risk of fire and explosions, therefore reducing the number of victims.

People should also inform firefighters about the fire situation and dangerous factors in the area, such as a gas cylinder or liquids, so the force can easily and safely approach the fire and save people. VNS