The inauguration ceremony of the Việt Nam Fire and Rescue Association in Hà Nội on Thursday. — Photo from the organisers

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Fire and Rescue Association (VFRA) was formally inaugurated at a ceremony held on Tuesday at the National Convention Centre in Hà Nội.

Attending the ceremony were leaders of the Ministry of Home Affairs, agencies of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Defence, other Ministries and agencies, leaders of relevant agencies of the Party and National Assembly, leaders of professional fire and rescue forces at the central and local levels, major associations and leading corporations in Việt Nam, along with representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations in Việt Nam.

The Việt Nam Fire and Rescue Association was established by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is the first and only social-professional organisation for official legal entities operating in fire and rescue with a nationwide scope operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the management of the Ministry of Public Security and other ministries and agencies relevant to the association’s areas of operation.

The association will actively support State management agencies in disseminating information, raising awareness, and providing skills on fire prevention and rescue to the community in order to enhance the Fire Prevention Movement for All People, as well as disseminate information on emergency response, disaster relief, search and rescue, and civil defence.

The association will also work to promote cooperation among relevant domestic organisations, and strengthen international cooperation in fire prevention and rescue, emergency response, disaster relief, search and rescue, and civil defence.

In addition, the association will mobilise its members to effectively support one another, contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development, enhancing domestic and international connectivity and cooperation which will support the growth of the fire prevention equipment manufacturing industry in Việt Nam, strengthening both the domestic and export markets.

At the ceremony, leaders of the Ministry of Home Affairs and leaders of agencies under the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Defence congratulated the association and gave directions for the association’s activities.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to Việt Nam Hans-Peter Glanzer delivered a congratulatory speech and expressed his confidence that the association will play a part in promoting cooperation in fire prevention and rescue between Vietnamese and Austrian organisations, and between Việt Nam and other countries in the world in general.

Also at the ceremony, the Việt Nam Fire and Rescue Association also officially launched the tribute programme “For a peaceful life”.

This is one of the association’s activities to pay tribute to officers in professional fire and rescue forces who were injured, killed in action, or made outstanding achievements in the line of duty, as well as civilians who directly assisted in fire prevention and rescue who made outstanding achievements. — VNS