The Ministry of Public Security disclosed on Tuesday that a total of 306,708 violations of fire prevention regulations have been recorded, resulting in penalties of VNĐ324 million (US$13,817), Vietnam News has reported.

Speaking at a press conference, Brigadier General Nguyễn Văn Long, deputy minister of Public Security, called the current campaign on fire prevention ‘just the beginning’ of the ministry’s anti-fire action.

According to Long, police units must thoroughly grasp the importance of fire prevention and fighting, as stipulated in the Prime Minister’s Directive No. 01. He said: “Fire prevention must be the key and the elementary in stopping fires.

“Our mission must be to prevent, repel and completely end dangerous fires that cause severe losses. The Deputy Minister proposed raising public awareness of fire prevention and response to fire accidents”.

Long also expressed appreciation for recent achievements made by many localities and firefighting forces.

63 local police forces have followed the direction of the Minister of Public Security and actively advised local people’s committees to issue documents on implementing fire prevention and firefighting according to the direction of the Prime Minister and the ministry.

Local authorities have coordinated with police forces to ensure effective implementation. All 1.1 million properties managed by the Government are fully inspected for fire prevention and fighting.