Improving disaster prevention and response capacity through practical exercises

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Every year, the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defense (PCTT, TKCN&PTDS) has actively coordinated with localities to organize drills to practice natural disaster situations, thereby improving the response readiness capacity of grassroots shock forces in preventing, responding to and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters in the community.

People of Tan village, Tien Trang commune participate in a drill to evacuate people from dangerous areas during a big storm.

In recent years, due to the impact of climate change, extreme and abnormal weather conditions, storms, heavy rains, flash floods, landslides, and floods have occurred consecutively, causing serious damage to people and property. It is forecasted that the weather and natural disasters in the coming time will continue to be complicated and unpredictable. In order to improve the capacity of disaster prevention and control, in early August 2025, the Provincial People's Committee organized a coastal disaster prevention and control drill in 2025 in Tien Trang commune. The drill content is based on specific situations, close to the natural disaster situation that often occurs in coastal communes and wards, thereby contributing to improving the leadership and direction capacity of Party committees, the management of the government, the advisory role of agencies, departments and branches; the ability to coordinate and cooperate between forces in disaster prevention and control, and search and rescue. At the same time, aim to raise people's awareness and consciousness in preventing and responding to natural disasters when situations arise.

As the unit in charge of practicing the evacuation of people living in dangerous areas to a safe place, Tien Trang commune mobilized more than 400 people to participate with necessary equipment such as: fire trucks, ambulances, mobile propaganda vehicles, rudimentary vehicles... People were able to directly watch the order of steps and actions of local authorities and support forces. Tien Trang commune People's Committee prepared a number of situations and cases that may arise during the evacuation process, such as: tree branches falling and breaking, some households refusing to comply and having to be forced to organize enforcement, pregnant women at the time of giving birth... The above situations can occur in reality, with full rehearsal of all arising situations, providing flexible response capabilities for the PCTT and TKCN forces.

Ms. Dao Thi Dung, Tien Trang commune, said: “This is the first time our people have participated in a practical drill, thereby grasping the operating mechanism of all levels and authorities when storms occur. We hope that the provincial and local levels and sectors will organize annual drills so that more people can gain more knowledge and skills in disaster prevention and control when storms occur.”

In the situation of calling on boats to return to safe shelters when there is a storm, the Border Guard Command coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Tien Trang Commune People's Committee and related units to mobilize 125 people along with 5 control ships, 15 fishing boats and other equipment to participate in the exercise. The exercise was coordinated by the units from notifying, guiding and supporting boats to move to safe shelters in the Ly River fishing boat storm shelter anchorage area. In addition, the units also carried out the situation of enforcing fishermen who did not comply with the sea ban order of the authorities when heavy rain and storms occurred. The units promoted the "4 on-site" motto well, organized according to principles, close to reality, achieved the set goals and requirements, ensuring urgency, timeliness, absolute safety of people, equipment and means. Ms. Tran Thi Hue, Chairwoman of Tien Trang Commune People's Committee, said: "Through the drill, the commune's PCTT and TKCN shock force has gained more experience in assigning forces and skills to handle arising situations. Thereby, the locality builds a response plan suitable for the new government structure; clearly identifies key forces at the commune level after the merger; arranges reasonable means and materials... to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of PCTT work".

According to the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief, the coastal disaster prevention and rescue drill in 2025 is a very important content in the implementation of disaster prevention and rescue tasks, which is extremely important in minimizing damage caused by natural disasters. Through this, it has helped Party committees at all levels, authorities, departments, branches, organizations and people to have a deeper awareness of the task of preventing and responding to incidents and natural disasters in the area. At the same time, it has improved the leadership and direction capacity of Party committees, the management of the authorities, the advisory role of agencies, departments, branches and organizations; and the coordination between forces in disaster prevention and rescue.

Article and photos: Le Hoi

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nang-cao-nang-luc-phong-chong-thien-tai-thong-qua-dien-tap-thuc-hanh-259331.htm