Firefighting and rescue drill at provincial level in 2024

(Quang Binh Portal) - On the morning of August 16, 2024, the Provincial People's Committee organized a provincial-level firefighting and rescue plan drill with the mobilization of forces, vehicles, and assets of many local agencies and organizations and the Public Security of neighboring provinces to participate in 2024. The drill location was at the Complex of Trade Center, Hotel and Shop - House Dong Hoi Quang Binh belonging to Vingroup Corporation - Joint Stock Company (Dong Hai Ward, Dong Hoi City). Comrade Doan Ngoc Lam, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the drill. Participating in the drill were 217 officers and soldiers of the following units: Provincial Police, Provincial Military Command, Provincial People's Procuracy, Electricity Company, Dong Hoi City People's Committee, City Police, City General Hospital, Complex of Trade Center, Hotel and Shop - House Dong Hoi and 02 units of the Public Security of neighboring provinces of Ha Tinh and Quang Tri.

The fire situation is assumed to have occurred at the fried and grilled food counter on the 3rd floor because the cooking staff used water to splash on the burning pan of boiling oil, causing the fire to flare up and the boiling oil to splash into the surrounding area, the adjacent wooden tables and chairs caused the fire to spread, the high temperature of the fire destroyed the gas supply valve, the burning gas created a column of fire in the kitchen area. The staff, chefs, and customers panicked and quickly ran out of the fire area; at the time of the fire, the building's automatic fire extinguishing system was broken and was being repaired.

Simulated fire situation at the fried and grilled food stall on the 3rd floor

The fire quickly spread to neighboring areas, with the possibility of spreading to other floors through the atrium and the technical shaft. At the time of the incident, there were many customers coming to shop and watch movies, causing jostling and pushing to escape the danger zone, creating a complicated and difficult-to-control incident situation. At this time, the number of guests staying on the floors on the hotel side was about 100 people, evenly distributed on the hotel floors, after hearing the fire alarm, they quickly moved down to the 1st floor to escape. However, due to the process of moving guests jostling and pushing each other, the automatic closing mechanism of the fire doors on the 4th and 5th floors was damaged, causing 02 staircases to be contaminated with smoke; 06 guests staying on the 19th floor escaped to the 5th floor but could not continue to escape because the stairs were contaminated with toxic smoke and the temperature was rising. Staff and guests cannot move out on their own and need quick and active rescue by authorities.

Forces coordinated to extinguish the fire.

After receiving the fire alarm, according to the assignment of the Steering Committee for the drill, the fire prevention and fighting force of the Dong Hoi Commercial Center, Hotel and Shop - House Complex deployed the work of handling the fire alarm, organizing the initial fire fighting work quickly and effectively. The Fire Police and Rescue Force quickly handled the fire alarm, arranged forces and means to participate in rescuing people, saving property, and fighting the fire scientifically, reasonably, and in accordance with professional techniques and tactics. The City General Hospital, Quang Binh Electricity Company, the Provincial Military Command, the Provincial People's Procuracy and other units coordinated to deploy the work according to their professional expertise.

Urgently take the victim to safety

With close command, management, close coordination, and smooth coordination between forces, the fire was quickly and completely extinguished. The exercise was successful, ensuring absolute safety for people, equipment, vehicles, and facilities of the enterprise.

Medical staff promptly rescued the victim.

Speaking at the assessment of the drill, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized that the drill achieved its objectives and requirements, built a coordination mechanism between units and forces; improved awareness, skills, tactics, close and effective coordination, ensuring safety of people, vehicles and property in fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue work. Through the drill, it shows the role and responsibility of Party committees, authorities at all levels, leaders of departments, branches, localities and establishments in fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue work; especially the drastic and effective implementation of the direction from the Central, Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Committee on fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue work; minimizing damage to people and property when fires and explosions occur in the area.

To seriously and effectively implement fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue work in the coming time, he requested leaders of departments, branches, sectors, unions, socio-political organizations, People's Committees at all levels and heads of establishments to pay attention to directing and promoting propaganda and warnings about fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue, especially in the current hot weather with high potential for fire and explosion; have specific plans and solutions to proactively prevent and effectively respond to fire and explosion situations; strengthen self-inspection of fire safety; preserve and maintain well equipped fire prevention and fighting and search and rescue equipment; ensure sufficient on-site fire fighting forces and equipment to promptly and effectively extinguish initial fires; periodically organize and coordinate fire fighting plan drills, in which simulate situations close to reality for effective handling.

Some pictures at the rehearsal: