HUFLIT holds a 2023 firefighting, rescue and relief drill

Implementing plan No. 6041/KH-CATP, Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages – Information Technology (HUFLIT) worked with the Ho Chi Minh City Police and the Hoc Mon District Police to hold a 2023 firefighting, rescue and relief drill. The event comprised two main parts: the programme “Hands-on experience in fire prevention, firefighting and rescue” and a firefighting, rescue and relief drill based on a simulated scenario at the Hoc Mon campus, held on 16 December 2023.

At the drill, the simulated scenario was a fire caused by an electrical short circuit on the 4th floor – the Hoc Mon Hall. This is an area where large numbers of students gather and which contains many electrical devices, allowing a fire to spread quickly and generate large volumes of smoke. Amid the panic, some victims were unable to escape and were trapped inside the hall.

As soon as the fire was detected, the firefighting force of the University – Hoc Mon campus immediately raised the alarm, cut off electricity to the affected areas and called the Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Police of the Hoc Mon District Police. The on-site firefighting team carried out firefighting work using the fire hose system — unrolling hoses, fitting nozzles, connecting lines and opening valves to release water to extinguish the fire — while operating the University’s fire pump system. The on-site force also guided students to evacuate, rescued and gave first aid to casualties, and moved property to a safe area.

On receiving the fire report, the Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Police of Hoc Mon District immediately deployed personnel and equipment, including 3 fire engines to the scene to extinguish the blaze, 1 rescue vehicle and 1 specialised pump. The firefighting police officers worked closely with the on-site firefighting team. However, as the fire spread quickly, the head of the steering committee had District 12 Police contacted for additional forces and a ladder truck. They quickly deployed water hoses and raised the ladder truck to rescue people trapped on the upper floors of the building. After nearly 30 minutes, the simulated fire was brought under control and completely extinguished, and all casualties were rescued.

Also at the drill, the programme “Hands-on experience in fire prevention, firefighting and rescue” was held to equip students with escape and rescue skills so they can respond promptly to fire and explosion situations that may occur in households, apartment buildings and crowded places, under the guidance of officers from the Ho Chi Minh City Police and the Hoc Mon District Police.

In this programme, more than 200 students were guided in key skills in fire prevention, firefighting and rescue, including how to escape in the event of a fire, practising the use of fire extinguishers to put out flames, rescue skills, and safety checks related to fire prevention and firefighting. This was an opportunity for students to gain the experience and skills needed to face emergencies, so that they can keep themselves and those around them safe and carry out effective fire prevention where they live and study.

At the end of the drill, the Fire Prevention and Firefighting Police Division of Hoc Mon District, together with the University leadership, the University’s Fire Prevention and Rescue Steering Committee and the University’s firefighting team, held an evaluation meeting. The drill had been thoroughly prepared and carried out with absolute seriousness and safety, meeting the requirements and technical standards set out. The on-site firefighting force performed skilfully and swiftly, coordinating smoothly and harmoniously with the professional forces.

Speaking at the programme, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Pham Tri Thao – Deputy Head of the Hoc Mon District Police – Head of the drill steering committee affirmed that firefighting and rescue skills are survival skills in the event of a fire and are essential for everyone. Mastering these skills and the legal regulations on fire prevention and firefighting is an important measure to prevent fires and explosions and to minimise loss of life and property when a fire occurs.

The simulated scenario of a fire caused by an electrical short circuit placed all lecturers, staff and students in a real-life situation. In the process, everyone was trained to master the evacuation plan, apply self-protection skills and practise evacuation procedures. At the same time, this scenario helped strengthen coordination among departments in organising firefighting and rescue, and in particular enabled the University’s firefighting force to operate firefighting equipment skilfully and to handle fire incidents promptly and effectively from the moment they break out.

In addition to the fire prevention, firefighting and rescue forces of the City Police, the Hoc Mon District Police and the District 12 Police, units of Hoc Mon District also took part in the drill, including the Red Cross Society, the General Hospital, the Electricity Company and Trung An Water Supply Joint Stock Company.