Circular No. 39/2016/TT-BCA on receiving, processing fire alarm information and deploying firefighting activities by the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Force

CIRCULAR

Provisions on receiving and processing fire alarm information and implementing firefighting activities
of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police forceDepartment of Fire Prevention and Fighting

Pursuant to the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting dated June 29, 2001, amended and supplemented by the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting dated November 22, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting);

Pursuant to Decree No. 79/2014/ND-CP dated July 31, 2014 detailing the implementation of certain articles of the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 79/2014/ND-CP);

Pursuant to Decree No. 106/2014/ND-CP dated November 17, 2014 stipulating functions, tasks, powers and responsibilitiesThe Department of Police for Administrative Management of Social Order;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director of the Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Rescue Police Department;

The Minister of Public Security promulgates this Circular on provisions for receiving and processing fire alarm information and implementing firefighting activities of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police force.

h1. Conditions, premium rates; minimum amount of insurance.
REGULATION GENERAL PROVISIONSGENERAL PROVISIONS

ArticleềArticle 1. Objectivesvi điều This Circular stipulates principles, procedures for firefighting, command, establishment of units serving firefighting command work, and the duties of officers, non-commissioned officers, and firefighters of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police in firefighting work.ealth

1. Officers, non-commissioned officers, and firefighters of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police (hereinafter referred to as cadres) perform firefighting duties.

Article 2. Applicability

2. Fire Prevention and Fighting Police units and localities.

Article 3. Principles in firefighting activities

Clause 3. Units and local public security agencies.

1. Compliance with the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting, guiding documents, this Circular, and other relevant laws.

2. Ensuring safety for people and means participating in firefighting and victims, while minimizing property damage to the lowest extent possible.

3. Promptly conducting firefighting using local forces and means, prioritizing rescue operations.

4. Ensuring mobility and timeliness; unified command and control in firefighting work.

5. Ensuring equipment and necessary conditions for firefighting work; firefighting activities must be carried out according to the prescribed firefighting procedures.

Article 4. Provisions on forms to be used in firefighting work

1. Issuing forms to be used in firefighting work of the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police force, including:

a) Fire Alarm Information Logbook (Form No. 01);

b) Order for Mobilization of Forces and Means for Firefighting (Form No. 02);

c) Statistics Table of Forces and Means Participating in Firefighting and Firefighting Areas (Form No. 03);

d) Firefighting Tactics Form (Form No. 04).

2. Units and local public security agencies when printing the forms specified in Clause 1 of this Article must print uniformly on A4 paper and may not arbitrarily change the form content; they have the responsibility to manage printing, distribution, and use of the forms and maintain records for tracking.

PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING FIREFIGHTING

Chapter II
SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Section 1
Article 5. Receiving and Processing Fire Alarm Information

1. Receiving Fire Alarm Information

a) Cadres on duty at the unit must ask for the following information when receiving a fire alarm report:

- Name, address, phone number (if available) of the person reporting the fire;

- Address, time of the fire occurrence;

- Information about the fire, specifically: the facility where the fire occurred, area of the fire, risk of fire spread, number of people trapped in the fire, initial casualties and property losses, and other related information about the fire.

b) Immediately upon receipt of the information, the cadre receiving the report must record it in the Fire Alarm Information Logbook; simultaneously, report the received information to the cadre on duty for command and receive orders to mobilize forces and means for firefighting from the unit commander.

2. Processing Fire Alarm Information

Immediately after receiving the order to mobilize forces and means for firefighting from the cadre on duty for command, the cadre on duty for information has the responsibility:

a) To issue the fire alarm signal;

b) To transfer the order to mobilize forces and means for firefighting, firefighting plan, and firefighting tactics form to the cadre assigned to command firefighting to organize the assembly and mobilization of forces and means for firefighting;

c) To notify relevant agencies and units responsible for firefighting and participating in firefighting according to the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting to coordinate in organizing firefighting.

3. In case the cadre on duty for information receives a fire alarm report occurring in an area outside their jurisdiction, they must fully inform the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police unit directly managing the area where the fire occurred to implement firefighting activities, then fully report the received information to the cadre on duty for command.

3. In the case where an officer on duty receives information about a fire occurring in an area outside their jurisdiction, they must fully inform the directly managing Fire Prevention and Fighting unit of that area to deploy firefighting activities, and subsequently report all received information to the commanding officer on duty.

Article 6. Mobilizing firefighting forces and equipment to the fire scene

1. When receiving an alarm to extinguish a fire, the firefighting commander must quickly assemble and mobilize firefighting forces and equipment to go to the fire scene.

2. On the way to the fire scene, the firefighting commander must implement the following requirements:

a) Maintain constant communication with the unit's information center;

b) During the execution of tasks, if encountering difficulties or obstacles, the firefighting commander must promptly report to the direct management leadership of the unit while seeking ways to overcome these difficulties and obstacles to bring firefighting forces and equipment to the fire scene as quickly as possible;

c) On the way to the fire scene, if encountering another fire, the firefighting commander must report to the direct management leadership of the unit about the situation and development of the fire to request instructions on the number of firefighting personnel and equipment to remain and perform firefighting tasks, and to request additional forces and equipment; at the same time, continue to implement the previously determined firefighting tasks.

Article 7. Implementing firefighting activities at the fire scene

1. Reconnaissance of the fire scene

Upon arrival at the fire location, the firefighting commander, based on the situation and development of the fire, organizes reconnaissance of the fire scene to grasp the situation, the possibility of deploying firefighting forces and equipment to approach the fire scene, and decides on appropriate technical and tactical firefighting measures:

a) In cases where the fire is not complex, the firefighting commander may directly observe and decide on appropriate technical and tactical firefighting measures to extinguish the fire;

b) In cases where the fire has a complex development or poses many dangerous factors threatening the lives and health of firefighting forces, the firefighting commander must establish a fire scene reconnaissance team consisting of at least two to three officers to organize reconnaissance. If necessary, the firefighting commander may request staff from the facility where the fire occurred to assist the reconnaissance team in performing their duties;

The fire scene reconnaissance team is responsible for determining:

- Whether there are victims in the fire; the number, location, and condition of the victims; measures and ability to rescue victims;

- Dangerous factors that may threaten the lives and health of victims as well as firefighting forces;

- Main combustible materials, fire spread risks, and potential fire development;

- Suitable locations for deploying firefighting equipment;

- The ability to use existing firefighting equipment at the facility to serve firefighting purposes; available water sources for firefighting;

- Performing other tasks assigned by the firefighting commander.

c) Based on the situation and development of the fire and the current firefighting forces and equipment, the firefighting commander may simultaneously decide on organizing fire scene reconnaissance and deploying forces and equipment to organize rescue operations for people and property and extinguish the fire.

2. Implementing firefighting activities

In firefighting activities, firefighting work must be carried out concurrently with rescuing victims and protecting property in the fire; prioritizing the rescue of victims, specifically:

a) Organizing rescue operations for victims in the fire, including:

- Directly moving or guiding victims in the fire to a safe area; if it is impossible to move victims to a safe place, measures must be taken to protect them from the dangerous factors of the fire;

- In cases of rescuing people in high-rise buildings without emergency staircases or when emergency staircases cannot be used, necessary means and equipment can be utilized to rescue victims.

b) Deploying firefighting forces and equipment, including:

- Deploying firefighting formations to positions to perform tasks;

- Bringing necessary firefighting equipment to approach the fire scene.

c) Controlling and extinguishing the fire

Based on the situation and development of the fire, the firefighting commander decides on selecting firefighting agents and appropriate technical and tactical firefighting measures to control and extinguish the fire.

Article 8. Support activities in firefighting work

1. Organizing communication services for firefighting

The organization of communication must ensure safety, continuity, and smoothness to serve firefighting, specifically:

a) Communication from the firefighting commander, the firefighting command board, and the firefighting advisory board to the on-site firefighting commander and the commanders of mobilized forces and equipment participating in firefighting;

b) Communication from the firefighting commander to each firefighting position and the on-site firefighting commander.

2. Lighting the firefighting area

Lighting the firefighting area must meet the following requirements:

a) Lighting evacuation routes to serve rescue operations for people and property;

b) Areas with explosion risks can only be lit from a distance, except for lighting equipment designed to withstand explosions;

c) Connection points, wiring, spotlights, and other lighting devices must be placed in safe locations, avoiding contact with water, fire, or acidic or alkaline environments.

3. Ensuring logistics support for firefighting

The firefighting commander must ensure logistics support for firefighting based on the situation, development of the fire, and estimated firefighting duration, specifically:

a) Providing drinking water, food, clothing, and medical care for firefighting personnel; rotating rest periods for direct firefighting personnel when necessary;

b) Supplementing firefighting materials and fuel for firefighting equipment; promptly replacing damaged firefighting equipment.

Article 9. Gathering forces and returning equipment to units

1. Upon completion of firefighting tasks, the firefighting commander must organize the following actions:

a) Gathering forces, taking attendance of mobilized firefighting personnel, and inspecting firefighting equipment before returning to the unit;

b) Reporting to the unit's information center about the completion of firefighting tasks and ordering the forces and equipment to return to the unit.

2. Upon arrival at the unit, the unit's direct commanding officer must organize inspections and maintenance of firefighting equipment and establish standby firefighting teams according to regulations.

Section 2
FIRE COMMANDER

Article 10. Firefighting Commanders of the Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Force

Firefighting commanders of the Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Force hold the following positions:

1. Director and Deputy Directors of the Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Department.

2. Directors and Deputy Directors of Provincial and Central City Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Departments.

3. Heads and Deputy Heads of specialized departments of the Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Department; Heads and Deputy Heads of Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Departments under provincial and central city public security departments; Heads and Deputy Heads of specialized departments, Heads and Deputy Heads of Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Departments in regions, and Heads and Deputy Heads of Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Departments on rivers under provincial and central city Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Departments.

4. Team Leaders and Deputy Team Leaders of Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Teams; Team Leaders and Deputy Team Leaders of Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Rescue Police Teams.

Article 11. Determination of Firefighting Commander when Multiple Fire Prevention and Fighting Units Participate in Firefighting

1. When there are two or more fire prevention and firefighting rescue teams under the Provincial Police Fire Prevention and Firefighting Rescue Department participating in firefighting, the commander of the team directly managing the area where the fire occurred shall be the firefighting commander.

2. When there are two or more Fire Prevention and Firefighting Departments under the Provincial Fire Prevention and Firefighting Department participating in firefighting, the leader of the department directly managing the area where the fire occurred shall be the firefighting commander.

3. When fire prevention and firefighting forces from two or more centrally governed cities or provinces participate in firefighting, the leader of the fire prevention and firefighting unit of the centrally governed city or province where the fire occurred shall be the firefighting commander.

Article 12. Transfer of Firefighting Command Authority

1. The transfer of firefighting command authority starts from the moment a higher-ranking officer of the fire prevention and firefighting force arrives at the fire scene.

2. Upon arrival at the fire scene, the incumbent firefighting commander must report on the situation, development of the fire, actions taken, and results achieved.

3. After transferring firefighting command authority to a higher-ranking officer, the incumbent firefighting commander continues to participate in the firefighting command team (if any) or performs other tasks assigned by the higher-ranking officer.

4. Upon arrival at the fire scene, a higher-ranking officer may not accept firefighting command authority but may delegate it to the incumbent firefighting commander to continue directing firefighting operations, while remaining responsible for the firefighting outcome.

5. In case of leaving the fire scene to perform other duties as required by the competent authority, the firefighting commander must designate a replacement from among the officers of the fire prevention and firefighting force currently participating in firefighting to take over firefighting command responsibilities and notify the unit's information center; simultaneously, record this in the firefighting command staff logbook.

Article 13. Duties of the Firefighting Commander

1. Fulfill the tasks stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 29 of Decree No. 79/2014/NĐ-CP.

2. Directly or through the firefighting command staff to command and control firefighting forces and equipment.

3. Determine the sequence and measures for implementing firefighting activities, rescuing victims, salvaging property, and extinguishing the fire.

4. Organize reconnaissance of the fire; determine the main firefighting position and direction, and deployment of necessary forces and equipment for firefighting.

5. Divide firefighting zones and designate zone firefighting commanders.

6. Report to the direct commanding officer of the unit managing the area or as required by the competent authority on the situation and development of the fire.

7. Organize safety measures for firefighting forces and equipment; ensure supporting activities in firefighting operations.

8. Coordinate to organize protection of the firefighting area, fire scene, and apply measures to protect materials and items serving the investigation of the fire cause.

9. Organize the collection of firefighting forces and recovery of equipment back to the unit upon completion of firefighting duties.

10. Perform other tasks assigned by superiors.

Section 3
ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENTS TO SUPPORT FIRE COMMAND OPERATIONS

Article 14. Firefighting Command Team

1. The Firefighting Command Team shall be established by the Firefighting Commander in cases where the fire situation is complex and requires mobilization of multiple forces and equipment to extinguish the fire.

2. The composition of the Firefighting Command Team includes:

a) The team leader is the Firefighting Commander;

b) Deputy team leaders are the heads of fire prevention and firefighting police units directly managing the area where the fire occurs, representatives of local authorities, and the entity where the fire occurs;

c) Members are commanders of other forces mobilized to participate in firefighting activities as prescribed.

3. Deputy team leaders and members of the Firefighting Command Team shall perform tasks assigned by the team leader and shall be responsible to the team leader for the performance of their assigned tasks.

Article 15. Firefighting Advisory Team

1. The Firefighting Advisory Team shall be established by the Firefighting Commander with the task of assisting the Firefighting Commander in performing tasks as stipulated in Article 13 of this Circular and helping the Firefighting Command Team manage and direct firefighting activities.

2. The composition of the Firefighting Advisory Team includes:

a) The team leader is the head of the fire prevention and firefighting police unit directly managing the area where the fire occurs;

b) Deputy team leaders are assistants to the head of the fire prevention and firefighting police unit directly managing the area where the fire occurs, assistants to local authority leaders, and the head of the entity where the fire occurs;

c) Members are safety officers of the entity where the fire occurs (if any), representatives of on-site firefighting forces, and other members designated by the Firefighting Commander.

Chapter III
TASKS OF PERSONNEL PARTICIPATING IN FIREFIGHTING

Article 16. Tasks of the Area Firefighting Commander

1. Assist the Firefighting Commander in performing tasks as stipulated in Clauses 1, 3, 4, 7, and Clause 8 of Article 13 of this Circular within the assigned firefighting area.

2. Report to the Firefighting Commander on the results of the assigned tasks.

3. Perform other tasks as assigned by the Firefighting Commander.

Article 17. Tasks of the Firefighting Team Leader

1. Direct the activities of the firefighting team under management.

2. Receive orders from the Firefighting Commander to assign tasks to squads under management.

3. Inspect compliance with regulations on ensuring safety, uniforms, and personal protective equipment provided to personnel in the firefighting team under management before undertaking firefighting tasks.

4. Establish coordination in firefighting work between firefighting teams under management and coordination of the entire team with other units.

5. Perform other tasks as assigned by the Firefighting Commander.

Article 18. Tasks of the Firefighting Group Leader

1. Direct the activities of the firefighting group under management.

2. Comply with orders from superiors.

3. Inspect compliance with regulations on ensuring safety, uniforms, and personal protective equipment provided to personnel in the firefighting group under management before undertaking firefighting tasks; ensure continuous operation of firefighting equipment when participating in firefighting.

4. Take attendance of the group's personnel; inspect firefighting equipment under management and report to the Firefighting Team Leader directly managing about the personnel strength and firefighting equipment of the group before receiving orders to return to the unit.

5. Perform other tasks as assigned by the Firefighting Team Leader.

Article 19. Tasks of Personnel Participating in Firefighting

1. Be familiar with assigned tasks and the general tasks of the firefighting group; directly participate in firefighting, rescuing people, and saving property in the fire.

2. Promptly report to the direct manager about the status of injured persons and situations arising during the execution of tasks; quickly rescue victims out of danger as soon as possible.

3. Safeguard and use personal protective equipment provided when performing firefighting tasks.

4. Report to the direct manager about one’s own or teammates' health conditions if unable to continue firefighting and other situations that may affect the execution of firefighting tasks.

5. In case of executing orders from the Firefighting Commander, the Area Firefighting Commander, or the Firefighting Team Leader, report to the direct managing Group Leader.

Article 20. Duties of communication officers during firefighting

1. Transmit orders from the firefighting commander, the head of the firefighting tactical staff to the commanders at the firefighting site and those responsible individuals during firefighting, and report back on the execution of the tasks to the officer who issued the orders.

2. Record received information and transmit it.

3. Perform other tasks as assigned by the Firefighting Commander.

Article 21. Duties of mechanical firefighting equipment operators

1. Control the entry and exit of firefighting equipment from the firefighting position according to the direct command of the firefighting commander.

2. Ensure that the assigned firefighting equipment under management and use operates continuously.

3. Carry out other tasks as assigned by the firefighting commander.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTATION

Article 22. Effectiveness

This Circular takes effect from December 6, 2016.

Article 23. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department is responsible for guiding, inspecting, and urging the implementation of this Circular.

2. The Heads of Departments under the Ministry, the Directors of Public Security, Fire Prevention and Fighting Police of provinces and centrally governed cities are responsible for implementing this Circular.

During the implementation of this Circular, if there are difficulties or obstacles, local public security units shall report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department) for timely guidance.