Directive No. 98/TTg on Strengthening Fire Prevention and Fighting Work

DIRECTIVE

ON STRENGTHENING FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE FIGHTING WORK

In recent times, many fires have occurred in houses, warehouses, and forests in some localities, causing significant losses to socialist property and people's lives. Particularly, forest fires are increasingly severe in many places, causing substantial economic losses and affecting national defense.

The causes of these fires partly stem from localities and grassroots units not strictly implementing existing regulations on fire prevention and firefighting; inspections and supervision of these regulations are insufficient, lacking clear investigations and conclusions regarding each fire incident, thus failing to promptly determine responsibility and handle it accordingly. Additionally, in some areas, there is a lack of vigilance and attention to preventing enemy sabotage.

To promptly prevent further fire incidents, the Prime Minister requests the heads of departments, levels, and grassroots units to immediately undertake the following urgent tasks:

1. Departments and levels must organize an immediate inspection and rectification of fire prevention work and the organization of firefighting forces at important units with significant assets or flammable materials, as well as concentrated residential areas, especially those with thatched or oil paper roofs. During inspections, any identified weaknesses or deficiencies should be addressed with timely measures and deadlines for correction.

In organizing fire prevention and firefighting, responsibilities and authorities of individuals and units must be clearly defined to ensure effective fire prevention and firefighting, and to identify causes and responsibilities when fire incidents occur.

2. Chairmen of People's Committees in mountainous provinces must issue orders prohibiting counties, communes, agencies, and units located in these areas from deforesting and burning fields (except where land reclamation plans are in place). Especially near warehouses, military bases, communication lines, power lines, oil pipelines, and densely populated villages, strict prohibitions on field burning and straw burning must be enforced.

The Ministry of Forestry and People's Committees at all levels must organize dedicated forces to inspect forest fire prevention and control.

Particularly for northern border provinces, the Ministry of Forestry must coordinate with provincial People's Committees and military and police forces to thoroughly implement forest fire prevention and control measures; each county must develop specific fire prevention and firefighting plans for each forest area; rely on civilian defense forces, forestry inspectors, and residents to patrol, guard, and promptly detect forest fires; reward those who contribute to forest fire prevention and firefighting, and promptly deal with those responsible for causing forest fires.

3. The Ministry of National Defense is responsible for organizing inspections of fire prevention and firefighting at weapons depots, military supplies, airports, military camps, and border posts to strengthen fire prevention and firefighting measures. It is necessary to assign responsibilities to military commanders and units to closely cooperate with forestry and local authorities in fire prevention and firefighting efforts.

4. The Ministry of Interior is responsible for strictly guiding the Fire Prevention and Fighting Bureau to instruct, inspect, and urge departments and localities to strictly implement fire prevention and firefighting work; promptly investigate and clarify the causes of fires; and coordinate with people's procuracies and courts to promptly conclude and handle those responsible for fires, punishing subversive elements who cause fires to sabotage.