The event was attended by Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Cong, who is head of the organising board, representatives of provincial departments and agencies, and leaders of commune- and ward-level People’s Committees, along with nearly 600 athletes representing 75 communes and wards.

This year’s competition brought together 23 teams and nearly 600 athletes representing 75 communes and wards, competing in four events: firefighting combined with moving property to prevent fire spread; firefighting combined with rescuing people from a fire; answering questions on fire prevention, firefighting and rescue knowledge; and practical firefighting, rescue and property-moving exercises for houses combining residential use with production and business activities.

Immediately after the opening ceremony, the competition featured two events: answering questions on fire prevention, firefighting and rescue knowledge; and firefighting combined with rescuing people from a fire.

As many as 184 athletes from 23 fire safety inter-family groups competed in the quiz on fire prevention, firefighting and rescue. Each team randomly drew one of 30 questions and had 60 seconds to answer on legal knowledge, practical skills in handling fire and explosion situations, the use of initial firefighting equipment, and escape skills.

Meanwhile, 138 athletes from 23 civil defence teams competed in the firefighting and rescue event. The athletes coordinated in rescuing victims amid the hazards posed by fires. The event combined two tasks: using fire extinguishers to put out fires, reaching victims as quickly as possible, providing first aid, and moving them to a safe location.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Cong asked departments, agencies and localities to renew methods of disseminating laws and skills on fire prevention and firefighting; consolidate civil defence teams; and promote the effectiveness of “fire safety inter-family groups.”

He also called for stronger inspections of high-risk facilities and timely settlement of fire safety shortcomings, stressing that no major fires causing serious losses should be allowed to occur. He urged effectively organising activities during Fire Prevention and Firefighting Safety Month in October and prioritising allocation of funding to equip offices and facilities under their management with fire alarm transmission devices.

On the occasion, the provincial People’s Committee presented a certificate of merit to the Thao Nguyen ward team for winning first place in the overall standings. The organising board presented the first-place flag to Thao Nguyen ward, the second-place award to the team comprising Yen Son, Phieng Khoai, Yen Chau, Chieng Hac and Long Phieng communes, and the third-place award to Chieng Coi ward. Prizes were also presented to winners of the individual events.

The provincial Department of Public Security presented certificates of merit to the teams finishing second and third overall and to the first-place winners in the individual events./.