Khanh Hoa Border Defense Force's flotillas and stations have built schemes on flood control and rescue together with natural disaster response rehearsals to get well-prepared for the coming rainy season...
Khanh Hoa Border Defense Force’s flotillas and stations have built schemes on flood control and rescue together with natural disaster response rehearsals to get well-prepared for the coming rainy season.
There are a large number of off-shore fishing boats in Khanh Hoa Province. Therefore, Khanh Hoa Border Defense Force has focused on updating weather forecast with flood warnings and alerts to fishing boats. Natural disaster response and rescue preparation has been made based on the principles “on site and immediate steps”. For 9 months in 2017, the guard tower of Khanh Hoa Border Defense Force has broadcasted 1,074 flood warnings with instructions to boats having incidents at sea and contacted 208 vehicles. During the high-peak period, staff have been on 24-hour standby to make reports of flood, storm and tropical depression together with safety precautions and guidance.
“Via the commutations system, fishermen can notify their labor accidents and other incidents at sea. The information will be reported to local authorities for solution and help. Communications play a vital role to assure accurate and timely rescue,” says Captain Nguyen Huy Toai, Head of the search and rescue guard tower, Flotilla 2, Khanh Hoa Border Defense Force.
Before the rainy season, the Party Committee of the Border Defense Headquarters instructed its officials and soldiers to cooperate with Party organizations and local authorities to pay visits to every home and fishing boat to inform about marine forecasts and flood warnings. Fishermen are advised to take sufficient safety devices with their fishing trips. Sufficient personnel and equipment are assured to respond to any emergency rescue calls, according to Nguyen Van Giang, Chief of Hon Ro Border Check-Point Station.
“I have 3 off-shore fishing boats. Border officials and soldiers frequently encourage and provide me with safety precaution before my fishing journeys. These valuable support helps me get well-prepared for potential occurrence of storm when at sea,” says Vo Ngoc Tung, Thanh Phat Village, Phuoc Dong Commune, Nha Trang City.
 Khanh Hoa Border Defense Force organizes rescue rehearsal at sea.
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Khanh Hoa Border Defense Headquarters have founded 2 tactical units with their stations and flotillas having strengthened their organizations and made detailed emergency schemes for specific localities. Their steering boards for natural disaster control and rescue at all levels have prepared sufficient staff, equipment and fuel for emergency preparedness for search and rescue of fishermen in distress at sea; and support with home protection and evacuation when needed.
In addition, Khanh Hoa Border Defense Headquarters has also required for regular check of all search and rescue equipment such as vehicles, fuel, lifebuoys and other necessary devices to ensure their availability for use; actively survey high-risk locations to get good preparedness for emergency response. Moreover, border officials and soldiers have boosted propaganda to make sure boat owners’ technical safety check together with sufficient marine safety facilities and smooth communications before setting off on their fishing trips.
“Since the beginning of the year, we have directed units to build schemes and organize natural disaster response rehearsals; and assure sufficient staff and equipment required for search and rescue operations. Various forms of propaganda have been used to ask boat owners to have their own response plans and assure smooth communication between their fishing boats and the Border Defense Force to facilitate prompt rescue and relief response,” says Ho Thanh Tung, Chief of the Khanh Hoa Border Defense Force.
The Anh – Van Hue
Translated by N.T
