Directive No. 21/2002/CT-TTg on Strengthening Forest Fire Prevention and Control Work

DIRECTIVE

ON STRENGTHENING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FOREST FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL WORK

In recent years, ministries, sectors, localities, and grassroots units have made significant efforts in forest fire prevention and control, promptly discovering and extinguishing many forest fires, thereby minimizing losses caused by such fires. However, recently, due to poor awareness of forest fire prevention and control among some segments of the population, combined with shortcomings and laxity in forest management and protection by local authorities at all levels, ministries, and sectors, as well as unfavorable weather conditions, the situation of forest fires has continued to increase, occurring in many places, especially the recent U Minh forest fire, which spread over a wide area and lasted for several days, causing significant economic, social, resource, and environmental losses.

To strengthen forest fire prevention and control work, minimize the occurrence of forest fires and losses caused by them, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall direct the strengthening of implementation of forest fire prevention and control measures in their respective localities according to the principle that fire prevention is the main focus; early detection, information dissemination, and timely organization of rescue and response when forest fires occur. First:

- In provinces and centrally-administered cities with forests, the Forest Fire Prevention and Control Steering Committee must be reinforced to inspect, direct, and manage forest fire prevention and control work. The Steering Committee at each level shall be headed by a Vice Chairman of the People's Committee.

- Effectively implement forest fire warning, forecasting, and fire control; improve the quality of planning, organizing, and implementing forest fire prevention and control plans according to the principle of "four at the spot": local forces, local equipment, local logistics, and local command, prioritizing key areas and months with high fire risk.

- Strengthen the role and responsibility of forest owners in forest fire prevention and control. Firstly, forest owners must strictly comply with regulations on forest fire prevention and control. Large-scale forest owners must develop forest fire prevention and control plans, organize emergency forces, equipment, and drills to proactively prevent and control forest fires.

- Each year, before entering the dry season when forest fires often occur, localities with large forests must organize forest fire drills suitable in scale, practical, and effective to promptly draw lessons in directing forest fire control.

- New forest planting projects, encirclement and regeneration development projects must clearly outline forest fire prevention and control plans when submitting for approval by competent authorities.

- Enhance education and propaganda among the people to raise everyone's awareness and sense of responsibility in forest fire prevention and control.

- Closely coordinate various forces, primarily Forestry Rangers, Military, and Fire Rescue Services, to inspect and urge the strict implementation of regulations on forest fire prevention and control in the locality, promptly detect, inform, and organize rescue and response when forest fires occur.

2. Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam Radio, and news agencies should intensify propaganda and education to enhance community awareness in forest fire prevention and control so that every citizen deeply understands their responsibility and duty in protecting forests, valuable national resources, and the living environment of ethnic communities in Vietnam, contributing to ensuring sustainable economic and social development of the country.

3. The Central Steering Committee for Forest Fire Prevention and Control established by Decision 1157/QĐ-TTg dated December 4, 2002, and relevant state management agencies shall inspect and direct localities to organize the implementation of forest fire prevention and control work by forest owners and local authorities at all levels, and organize timely rescue when necessary.

4. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with related ministries and sectors, shall concentrate on the following tasks:

- Develop and implement a nationwide program to enhance forest fire prevention and control capacity, including improving the organization and operation of Forest Protection Technical Centers to monitor and support forest fire prevention and control work in regions under the direct management and command of the Forest Inspection Department; assist provincial People's Committees in directing, reinforcing, and enhancing forest fire prevention and control capacity at Forest Inspection Bureaus and Forest Inspection Stations, with the core being Mobile Forest Ranger Teams.

- In the short term, by the end of 2002, apart from organizing drills in Ha Tay Province, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will cooperate with the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province to organize provincial-level drills, based on which they will evaluate and draw lessons to direct in key areas prone to forest fires.

- Coordinate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and related ministries and sectors to submit to the Government a system of benefits for those participating in forest fire prevention and control, particularly those who suffer loss of life, health, and property.

- Coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to establish inter-sectoral cooperation regulations in forest protection; develop plans for joint command and mobilization of forces and equipment in handling large-scale forest fires.

5. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall plan to direct subordinate units to collaborate with units in their respective areas to develop forest fire prevention and control plans; supplement training programs, drills, and forest fire prevention and control plans, ready to mobilize forces to participate in forest fire control when there is a risk of large fires.

6. Law enforcement agencies shall strengthen inspection, investigation, and prompt, severe handling of violations concerning forest fire prevention and control to educate, deter, and prevent acts causing forest fires, and promptly commend and reward organizations and individuals with outstanding achievements in forest fire prevention and control.