Police check fire extinguishers in a household in Bạc Liêu southern province. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Nguyễn

HÀ NỘI — Firefighting around the country has been growing in effectiveness over the last decade.

Chairman of the Chương Dương Ward People's Committee in Hà Nội Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh, told Nhân Dân (The People) newspaper, “The ward is identified as an area with high-risk for fire due to its narrow area and high population density, especially regarding 88 seriously degraded wooden houses.”

The public fire-fighting water source is small. There are only five water supply poles in the ward, reaching 9.5 per cent of the regulated criteria.

After three years of deploying the model of local fire prevention and fighting groups, the number of fires is decreasing.

The percentage of fires that are extinguished by local groups has increased.

To raise awareness and a sense of responsibility from each citizen, Hoàn Kiếm District's Chương Dương Ward continues to conduct the model.

Hà Nội, the second most populous city in the country, is an area with many old houses, and production workshops facing high risk of fire.

To minimise the fire consequences, the authorities have asked households to open an extra escape way at their balcony, and have fire-fighting means.

Thái Thị Liên from Hàng Trống Ward also in Hoàn Kiếm District, said, “We are equipped with fire prevention and fighting tools, trained in basic steps when a fire occurs, and technical skills to escape. This is a very practical model.”

Kỳ Bá Ward, one of the key areas of Thái Bình City also has a high risk of fire due to the large population and many business households.

Lieutenant Colonel Lê Bá Thắng, head of the Kỳ Bá Ward Police, said that the ward had conducted the model since the beginning of this year.

Local people enthusiastically support the model.

From the first group launched in January this year, the ward has 31 groups in 10 main streets and 21 public fire-fighting stations at narrow places that fire trucks cannot access.

Each public fire-fighting station is equipped with two fire extinguishers, one alarm, a hammer, a crowbar and other necessary things.

Funding for the tools is contributed to by locals and sponsors.

Nguyễn Văn Hạnh from Trần Lãm Ward, Thái Bình City, said “In densely populated areas and small alleys, people are worried when they hear about a fire. Since joining the groups, they feel more secure.”

“The most significant thing is that when participating in the groups, the village neighbourliness is tightened. Each house is equipped with a bell, if there is a theft or any incident, just press the bell and other houses know and can quickly deal with it together,” said Hạnh.

One fire prevention and fighting group includes five to 15 adjacent households.

The group is responsible for grasping the fire prevention and fighting situation and promptly reporting it to the authorities.

It also educates household members to voluntarily abide by the law on fire prevention and fighting.

So far the country has founded nearly 24,000 fire prevention and fighting groups and more than 28,000 public fire-fighting stations, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

The country opened 52,300 training classes on basic knowledge and skills in fire prevention, fighting and rescue for nearly 7.8 million people. — VNS