Thai Nguyen boosts grassroots fire prevention training and support

by Featured NewsTraining

Community teams respond to fire prevention challenges in Vietnam

Thai Nguyen Province has strengthened its approach to fire prevention by expanding its grassroots firefighting teams, according to a report by Thái Nguyen.

Authorities said that 2,119 grassroots fire prevention and extinguishing teams are now in place across the province, comprising nearly 24,000 trained members.

The decision comes as data from the first four months of 2025 show 37 fires and explosions, resulting in three deaths, one injury and property losses totalling 1.31 billion VND.

The Provincial Police stated that human error, electrical faults, and limited safety provisions at facilities were among the main causes.

Local agencies, businesses and residential areas have been working with the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department to expand and professionalise community-based firefighting capacity.

Grassroots units trained and equipped for early response

The Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department of Thai Nguyen has coordinated training programmes for all grassroots teams to enhance their ability to respond quickly to incidents.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Son, head of the department, said: “In training grassroots fire prevention and fighting forces, we always strive to strengthen and improve the quality of this team’s activities, contributing to the gradual socialization of fire prevention and fighting work and promoting the ‘Everyone participates in fire prevention and fighting’ movement.”

Authorities explained that many incidents have been contained early by local teams before professional fire services arrived, limiting further spread and damage.

Grassroots members are trained in how to use hoses, fire extinguishers and initial fire suppression strategies, and are encouraged to monitor and report unsafe practices in homes and businesses.

Fire prevention part of workplace and market safety strategy

Businesses in Thai Nguyen have created their own internal teams to address fire prevention risks.

Ms. Chu Thi Oanh, director of Trung Tin Investment and Development Joint Stock Company, said: “The company has established a grassroots fire prevention team with more than 10 members in each market under its management.”

She continued: “Each year, members receive training in professional skills and the use of hoses, extinguishers, and other equipment; and instructions on how to handle initial fire and explosion situations before professional firefighters arrive.”

In residential areas where homes are often combined with commercial activity, teams work closely with the local police to assess fire risks and issue reminders.

Mr. Bui Gia Khoi, a team member from Hoang Van Thu Ward, said: “We periodically and unexpectedly coordinate with the Neighborhood Police to verify and disseminate fire prevention and suppression efforts in homes… At the same time, we criticize and remind violators.”

Thai Nguyen to continue grassroots fire strategy during hot season

Authorities said the expansion of grassroots fire teams is part of a wider campaign to prepare for increased fire risks during the summer months.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Son added: “Reality has also shown that many fires occurred before professional firefighters had yet arrived at the scene, but grassroots firefighting teams coordinated with local people to handle the situation promptly, preventing the fire from spreading or becoming larger.”

The Provincial Police stated that collaboration across local government, agencies and the public is central to early detection and response.

Ongoing plans include additional training sessions, access to equipment and allocation of funds to strengthen capabilities.

The goal is to ensure that grassroots teams can act quickly and support formal firefighting units in reducing damage and saving lives.

Thai Nguyen boosts grassroots fire prevention training and support: Summary

Thái Nguyen has reported that grassroots fire prevention teams in the province now include nearly 24,000 members.

Authorities recorded 37 fire and explosion incidents in the first four months of 2025.

These incidents resulted in three deaths, one injury and 1.31 billion VND in property damage.

The Provincial Police identified human error and electrical issues as the main causes.

Officials stated that many fires have been controlled before emergency services arrived.

Community fire prevention teams are based in residential areas, schools and businesses.

Training includes the use of extinguishers, hoses and safe handling of fire risks.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Son said more training and resources will be provided.

The province plans to expand these teams during the summer to reduce risk.

Local businesses are also investing in internal fire prevention units.

Chiang Mai faces air pollution crisis due to traditional fire practices

by Featured NewsSustainability

Fire and its role in northern Thailand’s pollution crisis

During the haze season from February to April, Chiang Mai frequently tops the list of the world’s most polluted cities.

As reported by Huizhong Wu for AP News, fine particulate matter levels in the city during March and April are about 20 times the World Health Organization’s recommended limit.

Chiang Mai’s air quality issues are closely tied to local practices involving fire.

Fire is deeply ingrained in the region’s culture and agricultural methods.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has highlighted Chiang Mai as a “model” for tackling air pollution, making multiple visits and pledging clean air legislation to ensure that access to clean air is a basic human right.

Traditional agricultural practices and burning in Chiang Mai

Northern Thailand’s air pollution is largely attributed to farmers who burn corn stubble to clear fields.

Although alternatives like biochar and tilling exist, they require significant labor and equipment, which are not feasible for many subsistence farmers in the hilly terrain.

Despite CP Foods implementing a tracing system to avoid buying corn produced on deforested or burned land and the Prime Minister’s plans to ban imports of corn grown on cleared land, the practice continues.

This is compounded by shifts in corn cultivation to neighbouring countries where stubble burning is still common.

Researchers from Chiang Mai University found that more than 51% of the haze comes from biomass burning, with about 23% originating from long-range pollution, likely from India.

Cultural significance and fire management policies

Fire holds significant cultural importance in northern Thailand, used for forest management, agricultural clearing, and even as a form of protest.

Olivier Evrard of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development noted that fire is often used in protests, such as the 2018 controversy over a judiciary complex built on protected forest land.

Thailand has implemented numerous policies to regulate burning, including a national zero-burning directive in 2013.

However, these measures have had limited success, as people responded by burning before and after the ban periods, prolonging the haze season.

Chiang Mai province now allows controlled burns through a permit system managed via the FireD app, which predicts pollution levels using weather and satellite data.

Despite estimates that half of the fires in the province go unregistered, researchers see the app as a positive step toward better fire management.

Challenges in implementing fire regulations

For many villagers in northern Thailand, navigating the bureaucracy for legal burns is difficult.

Tiengtrongsakun, the Pakanyo chief in Ban Mae Lan Kham, assists his community with the necessary paperwork since many do not speak Thai or understand the policies.

He said: “If we hand them the document or registration form, they don’t know what to do with it.

Often they just throw the papers away.”

Researchers argue that policymakers need to consider the socio-economic conditions and cultural practices of the villagers.

Many belong to tribal groups not formally recognised by the Thai government and face challenges in accessing education and jobs.

As long as burning remains the most efficient and cost-effective method for their livelihood, it will continue.

Mary Mostafanezhad from the University of Hawaii commented: “If burning is the easiest and most cost-efficient way to grow your crops, or to make a living, until that is not true, it’s going to continue to happen.”

Thailand industrial park fire: explosion kills one and injures others

by Featured News

Fire at Thailand chemical storage tank kills one and injures four

At least one individual lost their life and four others sustained injuries following a massive fire at a chemical storage tank in Mab Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Thailand, as reported by AP news.

The fire, which erupted early Thursday, demanded over six hours to contain, with expectations of requiring more than 10 hours to fully extinguish.

Around 400 workers and residents were evacuated to a temporary shelter, as stated by Rayong province’s public relations department.

The tank involved in the blaze, owned by Mab Ta Phut Tank Terminal company, holds a capacity of 2,500 cubic meters and is used for storing Pyrolysis gasoline.

This incident has prompted the company to launch an investigation and reassess preventive measures.

They have also committed to compensating those affected and expressed their condolences.

Previous incidents and safety measures

In a similar episode in 2021, a fire at another storage tank owned by the same company resulted in three fatalities and serious injuries to two individuals.

This led to a temporary cessation of the company’s operations.

The company has since been under scrutiny for its safety measures, and this recent incident has reignited concerns regarding safety standards at industrial facilities handling hazardous substances.

Efforts to enhance safety protocols and ensure compliance with regulations are expected to intensify following this event.

IFSJ Comment

The recurring incidents at Mab Ta Phut Industrial Estate raise critical concerns about the safety measures and emergency preparedness of industrial facilities, particularly those dealing with hazardous chemicals.

It is imperative for regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to collaborate closely to enhance safety standards and prevent future tragedies.

Strengthening regulatory oversight and ensuring compliance with safety protocols is essential to safeguard both human lives and the environment.