Circular No. 92/2026/TT-BCA on the activities of responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations by the People's Public Security Forces.

CIRCULAR
Regulations on the activities of responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations of the People's Public Security Forces
search and rescue operations of the People's Police Force

Pursuant to the Law on Prevention and Control of Natural Disasters No. 33/2013/QH13 amended and supplemented by Law No. 60/2020/QH14, Law No. 18/2023/QH15, Law No. 47/2024/QH15, Law No. 55/2024/QH15, and Law No. 146/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Dike Regulation No. 79/2006/QH11 amended and supplemented by Law No. 15/2008/QH12, Law No. 35/2018/QH14, Law No. 60/2020/QH14, Law No. 18/2023/QH15, Law No. 47/2024/QH15, Law No. 84/2025/QH15, and Law No. 146/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Civil Defense No. 18/2023/QH15 amended and supplemented by Law No. 98/2025/QH15, Law No. 116/2025/QH15, and Law No. 145/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Fire Prevention, Combating, and Rescue No. 55/2024/QH15 amended and supplemented by Law No. 118/2025/QH15 and Law No. 135/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on State of Emergency No. 104/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to Decree No. 66/2021/NĐ-CP dated July 6, 2021 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Natural Disasters and the Law amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Natural Disasters and the Law on Dike Regulation;

Pursuant to Decree No. 02/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 18, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security amended and supplemented by Decree No. 11/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2025;

Pursuant to Decree No. 105/2025/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2025 of the Government detailing certain provisions and measures to implement the Law on Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Rescue;

Pursuant to Decree No. 200/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 9, 2025 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Civil Defense;

Pursuant to Decree No. 53/2026/NĐ-CP dated February 5, 2026 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of the decrees in the dike regulation and prevention and control of natural disaster fields;

At the proposal of the Director of the Ministry of Public Security’s Office;

The Minister of Public Security issues this Circular regulating the activities of responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations of the People's Public Security Forces.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates the activities of responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations; training, instruction, and drills for implementing emergency response and search and rescue tasks of the People's Public Security Forces.

Article 2. Principles of responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations

1. Information about emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations must be promptly reported to the People's Committees at all levels and competent authorities where the incidents occur.

2. Actively prepare forces, means, and equipment in a timely manner to serve emergency response activities; mobilize the comprehensive strength of the entire population and participating forces in responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations, with the armed forces being the core.

3. Implement the principle of "four localities" (local command; local forces; local means and materials; local logistics) to ensure prompt and effective responses to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations.

4. Unified command and close coordination among participating forces in responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations; ensuring safety for people and means participating in emergency response and search and rescue operations; minimizing losses caused by emergencies and natural disasters to the lowest extent possible.

5. Heads of units under the Ministry of Public Security assigned to implement tasks related to emergency response, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations, and local public security agencies shall be responsible for directing the implementation and urging, inspecting the implementation of emergency response and search and rescue programs and plans; promptly reporting to the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security and the Civil Defense Command Board of the Ministry of Public Security for guidance when situations exceed their capacity and authority.

 

Chapter II

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

 

Article 3. Command and Control Mechanism in Response to Emergencies, Natural Disasters, and Search and Rescue Operations

1. The Ministry of Public Security, pursuant to the division of labor by the National Civil Defense Steering Committee Chairperson, shall direct public security units and localities to cooperate with functional forces in responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations for wide-scale emergencies or natural disasters directed by the National Civil Defense Steering Committee.

2. The Ministry of Public Security Civil Defense Command Board: directs responses to large-scale building fires, urban areas, industrial zones, residential areas; supports localities upon request; directs public security units and localities to participate in tasks related to responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations within the scope and fields under the Ministry of Public Security's responsibility.

3. Provincial-level public security organs (hereinafter referred to as provincial-level public security organs): direct functional forces under their management to participate in cooperation in responding to large-scale building fires, urban areas, industrial zones, residential areas at the locality level; implement responses to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations within their management scope and when requested by the Ministry of Public Security.

Article 4. Development of Emergency Response Plans for Emergencies, Natural Disasters, and Search and Rescue Operations

Units under the Ministry of Public Security assigned to carry out tasks related to emergency response, natural disaster response, and search and rescue operations, and local public security organs proactively develop emergency response plans for emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations; organize practice and drill scenarios for emergency response and search and rescue operations appropriate to various levels of natural disaster risk; periodically adjust and supplement plans annually or during specific periods according to actual conditions or as required by the Ministry of Public Security and the provincial-level Civil Defense Command Board.

Article 5. Duty Shift Reception, Processing, Transmission, and Provision of Information on Emergencies, Natural Disasters, and Search and Rescue Operations

1. Duty shift reception of information on emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations:

a) The permanent office of the Ministry of Public Security Civil Defense Command Board is the focal point for receiving information on emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations from the National Civil Defense Steering Committee, public security units, and localities;

b) Provincial-level public security organs use the hotlines, which are the duty shift phone numbers of provincial-level public security organs, to receive information related to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations.

2. Processing of information:

a) The Ministry of Public Security Civil Defense Command Board, after receiving information on emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations, is responsible for advising the Ministry of Public Security leadership to direct public security units and localities to perform tasks according to the principle of "four localities";

b) Provincial-level public security organs are responsible for implementing orders from the Ministry of Public Security leadership and deploying tasks in the managed localities.

3. Transmission of information:

a) The People's Public Security television and press agencies are responsible for coordinating the transmission of guidance documents on emergency response to the Prime Minister, the National Civil Defense Steering Committee, and the Ministry of Public Security Civil Defense Command Board;

Information transmission is carried out immediately after receiving information on emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations with a minimum frequency of three times every three hours for natural disaster risks up to Level 3, and a minimum of once every hour for natural disaster risks above Level 3 until new guidance documents are issued or emergency response activities have been implemented or the natural disaster has ended;

b) The duration of information transmission for command and control of emergency response includes the time to fully transmit the content of the guidance documents on emergency response issued by competent authorities, weather forecast and warning bulletins, clearly stating changes in the content of guidance documents, updating the situation of natural disaster developments, and emergency response activities.

4. Provision of information on emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations:

Specialized units responsible for receiving information on fire prevention, firefighting, rescue, and rescue operations, when there is information related to rescue operations due to emergencies or natural disasters, are responsible for promptly providing information to the standing forces for emergency response, natural disaster response, and search and rescue operations, specifically:

a) At the Ministry of Public Security, provide information to the Ministry of Public Security Civil Defense Command Board;

b) At the local level, provide information to provincial-level public security organs;

c) The provision and receipt of information are conducted through telephone, internet-connected computers, email, fax, and other suitable methods; focal units assign duty shift staff concurrently to handle information.

Article 6. Allocation,分级化责任，配合和调动参与应对自然灾害风险

1. Allocation, 分级化责任和配合在应对自然灾害中的实施按照2021年7月6日第66/2021/NĐ-CP号政府法令关于实施细则的规定执行，该法令详细规定了《防灾减灾法》和《防灾减灾法》及《堤防法》（经2026年2月5日第53/2026/NĐ-CP号法令修订）中的一些条款。

2. 调动参与应对自然灾害风险：

根据公安部民防指挥部或省级公安机关接收的信息，各地方公安机关根据以下级别进行调动参与应对自然灾害风险：

a) 应对一级自然灾害风险：

社区、镇、特别市的公安机关（以下简称社区级公安机关）接受省级公安机关和社区、镇、特别市人民委员会（以下简称社区级人民委员会）的调动；

b) 应对二级自然灾害风险：

省级公安机关接受公安部和省级人民委员会（以下简称省级人民委员会）的调动；

社区级公安机关接受省级公安机关和社区级人民委员会的调动；

c) 应对三级自然灾害风险：

公安部在其管辖范围内采取措施应对自然灾害，并根据国家民防指挥部的指示和动员参与应对自然灾害；

省级公安机关接受公安部和省级人民委员会的调动；

社区级公安机关接受省级公安机关和社区级人民委员会的调动；

d) 应对四级自然灾害风险：

公安部在其管辖范围内采取措施应对自然灾害，并根据总理和国家民防指挥部的指示和动员参与应对自然灾害；

省级公安机关接受公安部和省级人民委员会的调动；

社区级公安机关接受省级公安机关和社区级人民委员会的调动；

đ) 对于五级自然灾害风险和其他有权宣布自然灾害紧急状态的情况，人民公安力量按照有关紧急状态的法律规定执行。

Article 7. Implementation of Response to Emergencies, Natural Disasters, and Search and Rescue

1. When there is a forecast, warning, notification of risk, or occurrence of emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations, the permanent office of the Ministry of Public Security Civil Defense Command and provincial public security organs organize duty shifts to receive and process information about emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations.

2. Local public security units where emergencies, natural disasters occur, and functional units assigned the task of responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations have the responsibility to:

a) Implement emergency plans and measures to protect the lives, health, and property of agencies, organizations, and individuals; inspect works, means, and forces that can be mobilized for response when necessary;

b) Direct and command forces, means, equipment, and specialized materials for responding to emergencies, natural disasters, search and rescue operations, and mitigating consequences;

c) Report the results of handling emergencies, natural disasters, and search and rescue operations according to the reporting system regulations.

Article 8. Coordination in Emergency Response Activities, Natural Disasters, and Search and Rescue Operations

1. Coordination during typhoons and tropical depressions:

a) The Ministry of Public Security Civil Defense Command coordinates with the Civil Defense Commands of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and provincial Civil Defense Commands under the direction of the Prime Minister, the National Civil Defense Steering Committee, and the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security to develop common measures for the public security force to respond to typhoons and tropical depressions. In cases where typhoons may cause serious or widespread impacts, a meeting of the Ministry of Public Security Civil Defense Command will be organized to direct responses;

b) Local public security organs shall perform the following tasks:

Direct fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue forces, traffic police, public order police, and other public security forces to cooperate with military forces and medical units in the area to help civilians evacuate, reinforce houses, arrange mooring positions for ships, ensure security and order, participate in rescue and relief operations, and protect flood and storm prevention works according to the division of labor of the local Civil Defense Command;

Direct local traffic police forces to deploy personnel to ensure traffic safety. Organize control at submerged culverts, overpasses, flooded roads, landslide areas causing traffic congestion, and guide traffic to ensure safety for people and vehicles.

2. Coordination during major floods, flash floods, and landslides:

a) The Ministry of Public Security Civil Defense Command coordinates with the Civil Defense Commands of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and provincial Civil Defense Commands under the direction of the Prime Minister, the National Civil Defense Steering Committee, and the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security to develop common measures for the public security force to respond to major floods, flash floods, and landslides. Organize working groups to visit severely affected areas to advise on response and recovery efforts;

b) Local public security organs shall perform the following tasks:

Direct traffic police forces to implement guidance and diversion measures to ensure safe transportation activities; deploy some standing forces at river passenger terminals and weak areas;

Increase the number of forces and means, coordinate with functional forces and local authorities to implement flash flood and landslide response work; prepare rescue means, communication equipment, essential supplies, and necessities in weak areas and regions at risk of being cut off;

Organize safe evacuation of people's lives and property; coordinate with other functional forces to implement evacuation of people and property from areas at risk of flooding, flash floods, and landslides;

Timely provide first aid to injured persons and transfer them to the nearest medical facility for treatment; coordinate with other functional forces and local authorities to urgently search for missing persons.

3. Coordination upon receipt of tsunami and earthquake warnings:

Upon receiving tsunami, earthquake warnings, the National Civil Defense Command Board under the Ministry of Public Security and provincial public security agencies shall implement information dissemination and emergency response, evacuation of residents, and aftermath mitigation according to Decision No. 645/QĐ-TTg dated May 27, 2022 of the Government Chairman issuing the National Plan for Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Response.

4. Coordination in dike rescue and flood prevention works:

Units and local public security agencies shall be ready with forces and means to participate in dike rescue and flood prevention works within their jurisdiction upon request from local People's Committees; report to the Ministry of Public Security for support, reinforcement, and assistance if the requirements and tasks exceed their capacity.

5. Coordination in marine search and rescue operations:

Marine search and rescue coordination shall be carried out in accordance with the Inter-Ministerial Regulation on Marine Search and Rescue Operations and Inland Water Port Areas issued together with Decision No. 06/2014/QĐ-TTg dated January 20, 2014 of the Government Chairman.

6. Coordination in land-based search and rescue operations:

Units and local public security agencies shall carry out according to the directives of the local Civil Defense Command Board to prepare forces and means proactively to conduct search and rescue operations.

7. Coordination when forest fires occur:

Units and local public security agencies shall carry out according to the directives of the local Civil Defense Command Board to prepare forces and means proactively to conduct forest fire suppression, fire spread prevention, and evacuation of residents from dangerous areas.

8. Units and local public security agencies shall prepare forces and means proactively to conduct rescue and relief operations when accidents, natural disasters, or particularly serious traffic accidents occur, regulate traffic, ensure security, and maintain order in affected areas; according to the directives of the local Civil Defense Command Board.

Article 9. Training, instruction, and drills for disaster response and search and rescue

1. Training, instruction, and drills for disaster response and search and rescue for specialized and part-time forces shall be conducted annually.

2. The Ministry of Public Security Office shall coordinate with relevant units to develop plans and organize training, instruction, and drills for disaster response and search and rescue for the People's Public Security Forces.

3. Provincial public security agencies shall proactively coordinate with related units to determine the content, methods, and organize training and instruction for disaster response and search and rescue for units under their management; report to the National Civil Defense Command Board (through the Ministry of Public Security Office) for review and approval before implementation.

4. Drills for disaster response and search and rescue in the People's Public Security Forces shall be decided by the Minister of Public Security and organized by the Head of the National Civil Defense Command Board of the Ministry of Public Security.

 

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

 

Article 10. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from August 6, 2026.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 05/2021/TT-BCA dated January 14, 2021 of the Minister of Public Security on the activities of disaster response and search and rescue of the People's Public Security Forces.

Article 11. Implementation Organization

1. The Ministry of Public Security Office shall be responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and urging the implementation of this Circular.

2. Heads of units under the Ministry, Directors of Public Security Departments of provinces and cities, and related organizations and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, units and local public security agencies shall report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Ministry of Public Security Office) for timely guidance.