Directive No. 237/TTg On Strengthening Measures for Fire Prevention and Control Work

DIRECTIVE

OF THE PRIME MINISTER

On Strengthening Measures to Implement Fire Prevention and Fighting Work

In implementing the Ordinance "Regulating State Management over Fire Prevention and Fighting Work," in recent years, local authorities at all levels, ministries, sectors, agencies, units, and organizations have made significant efforts to organize and implement these measures, thereby limiting the increase in fires and effectively extinguishing many fires. However, in recent years, many places have experienced large fires causing severe damage. The main cause of this situation is that fire prevention and fighting work (FPFW) management and implementation by various levels, sectors, organizations, and citizens have not been satisfactory.

To proactively carry out FPFW, contributing to protecting state assets, organizational assets, and the lives and property of citizens, and to mark the 35th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh signing the Ordinance "Regulating State Management over Fire Prevention and Fighting Work" (October 4, 1961 - October 4, 1996), the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels, and Heads of units and organizations must directly organize and direct the implementation of FPFW within their jurisdictional areas and regularly review and supplement their local and unit FPFW plans. To effectively implement FPFW, immediate attention should be given to strictly enforcing the following specific measures:

- For urban areas, industrial zones, concentrated economic zones, and construction projects, there must be FPFW plans and solutions, with access roads for firefighting vehicles to reach fire sites and water sources, a synchronized firefighting water supply system with the domestic water supply system, and firefighting teams established and located in convenient positions for such work.

- For factories, enterprises, warehouses, markets, high-rise buildings, commercial centers, concentrated residential areas, detailed and meticulous FPFW plans and schemes must be developed. Particularly for oil storage facilities, treasuries, radio stations, postal and telecommunications facilities, power plants, airports, ports, places where large crowds gather, and facilities containing flammable, explosive, toxic substances, and valuable goods, strict adherence to safety standards and regulations on FPFW is required; sufficient firefighting equipment and personnel must be provided; for large facilities or clusters of facilities, necessary firefighting equipment must be purchased and installed through self-investment.

- Authorities with approval powers will only approve planning, design, renovation, funding allocation, and construction permits when the designs of the projects have been approved by the FPFW authority regarding design and firefighting equipment. The FPFW authority will establish advisory organizations to assist in reviewing and approving designs and firefighting equipment.

- Authorities with approval powers will only issue export, import licenses, service provision permits for firefighting equipment, consulting, designing, and installation services for firefighting systems when they have been confirmed by the competent FPFW authority to meet the necessary conditions.

2. Relevant Ministries shall perform the following specific tasks:

- The Ministry of Construction shall direct design, construction, and licensing units to strictly enforce standards, regulations, and review procedures for designs and firefighting equipment.

- The Ministry of Industry shall cooperate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to develop model designs and standards for safe electrical systems for FPFW suitable for different types of structures and provide guidelines on measures to ensure electrical safety in FPFW.

- The Ministry of Trade shall cooperate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to stipulate and guide measures to ensure safety in the use of gasoline, natural gas, markets, and commercial centers.

- The Ministry of Home Affairs, together with the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Finance, shall develop investment cost and equipment standards for firefighting equipment for different types of structures; together with the Ministry of Trade and the General Department of Customs, they shall promulgate regulations on managing the export and import of firefighting equipment to ensure quality and suitability for Vietnam's conditions.

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment, together with the Ministry of Finance, shall annually propose allocating funds for upgrading and modernizing firefighting equipment.

- The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment, together with the Ministry of Home Affairs, shall coordinate and guide relevant ministries and sectors in developing safety standards for FPFW, initially focusing on markets, commercial centers, high-rise buildings, warehouses, etc.

- The Ministry of Education and Training, together with the Ministry of Home Affairs, shall develop teaching materials to instruct and educate basic knowledge about FPFW and incorporate them into appropriate training programs.

- The Ministry of Culture and Information, Voice of Vietnam Radio, Vietnam Television, and central and local news agencies, broadcasting, and television stations shall be responsible for disseminating basic knowledge about FPFW to the public and reminding everyone to take responsibility seriously in FPFW.

- The Ministry of Home Affairs shall lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and related units to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection for FPFW; commend organizations and units that comply well with FPFW regulations and handle violations strictly; complete draft laws and decrees guiding the implementation of FPFW; compile regulations and circulars on the operation of voluntary firefighting teams, civilian defense teams, and decrees punishing violations of FPFW safety regulations; issue regulations and circulars on managing production and business service facilities for firefighting equipment, consulting, designing, and installing firefighting equipment; build a regular firefighting police force and gradually modernize it, initially from 1996 to 2000; plan domestic and international training for excellent firefighting experts, especially leading experts, and expand international cooperation.

3. The ministries, sectors, People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, and grassroots units shall immediately implement activities and measures for fire prevention and fighting (PCCC) to organize a mid-term review of five years of implementing Directive 175/CT dated May 31, 1991, issued by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now the Prime Minister) on enhancing PCCC work, and to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the issuance of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Ordinance, while proposing commendations for units and individuals with outstanding achievements in PCCC work over the past 35 years and the last five years. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall assist the Prime Minister in preparing and organizing the mid-term review of Directive No. 175/CT and the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the issuance of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Ordinance on October 4, 1996.

4. The ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies and agencies under the Government, and Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of this Directive.

The Ministry of Home Affairs shall be responsible for guiding, inspecting, urging the implementation, and compiling the situation to report to the Prime Minister.