HCM City (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for a coordinated national effort to build a culture of fire prevention, strengthen natural disaster prevention and control, and rescue operations, urging authorities to expedite a scheme to reduce serious fire-related casualties and economic losses.
PM Chinh made the appeal at a dialogue forum with businesses on fire safety, rescue, physical secuirity and digital transformation for national socio-economic development in Ho Chi Minh City on August 14, which was held by the Ministry of Public Security on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Public Security Force and the 20th anniversary of the "All People’s Security Safeguard Festival".
He underscored the sacrifices and achievements of Vietnam’s firefighting and rescue police force over the past six decades, calling them the core force on the front line against the ‘fire enemy’ and an integral part of the nation’s public security apparatus.
The PM urged breakthroughs in science - technology, innovation, and digital transformation within firefighting, rescue, and security sectors. He advocated for greater use of smart technologies, big data, and artificial intelligence to improve capabilities, alongside expanded international partnerships to share expertise and acquire cutting-edge equipment. Vietnam should study, produce, and master its own fire prevention and firefighting technologies, while creating manuals and guidelines for both fire prevention and disaster response, he added.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Vietnam has suffered more than 17,600 fires over the past five years, leaving 560 dead, 606 injured, and around 4 trillion VND (153.8 million USD) in damage.
In the morning of the same day, PM Chinh attended the opening of the Secutech+ Vietnam, the country’s largest professional security show packed with 480 domestic and foreign brands, including those from Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and China.
The event showcased active fire suppression systems such as pumps, rescue and escape gear, smoke extraction systems, and fire alarms; disaster prevention tools like GIS/GPS emergency communications, hazardous substance detection devices, firefighting robots and drones; passive fire protection solutions such as fire doors and fire-resistant coatings; and protective equipment like firefighting suits and disinfection systems.
In his opening speech, the PM lauded the show’s role in advancing Vietnam’s fire prevention, firefighting and security industries, aligning them with modern standards. He expressed confidence that the event would foster greater public awareness, spark practical solutions, and advance Vietnam’s fire and rescue efforts./.
