As part of the command mechanism, Commune-level Civil Defense Command Committee convened an emergency meeting, issued urgent instructions, and assigned tasks to relevant forces.
The activity was carried out under the project “Emergency Appeal for Relief, Response, Recovery and Reconstruction following Typhoon No. 3 and the post-storm circulation in 2024”, implemented by the Viet Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC) with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The drill was designed around realistic local scenarios and included two components: operation of the command mechanism and field response practice.
Under the scenario, a strong storm brought prolonged heavy rain to Cam Khe commune, causing river levels to rise, and widespread flooding in low-lying residential areas, especially places at risk of landslides and homes lacking solid structures. In response, Commune-level Civil Defense Command Committee held an emergency meeting, issued urgent directions, and assigned duties to relevant forces in line with the “four on-the-spot” principle, ensuring readiness for complex storm and flood developments.
In the field, participating forces carried out the emergency evacuation of residents and property from dangerous areas, while also conducting search and rescue operations in conditions of heavy rain and rising water. During the exercise, a situation was introduced in which residents were injured and required first aid on site before being moved to safety. Skills such as bandaging, immobilizing injuries, and transporting casualties were performed in accordance with proper procedures.
Residents and property are moved to safer areas
At the same time, a house fire caused by an electrical short circuit during the storm was also simulated, requiring on-site forces to quickly implement firefighting measures, isolate the area, prevent the fire from spreading, and ensure the safety of the surrounding neighborhood.
All components of the drill were carried out in sequence, from command to hands-on response in the field, ensuring continuity and close relevance to real-life conditions. The exercise was conducted seriously, according to plan, and with absolute safety, thereby helping strengthen the capacity for organization, command, and coordination among local forces to meet practical demands in disaster prevention and response.
Earlier, under the same project, the Phu Tho Red Cross Chapter had organized training sessions for nearly 1,300 local people on clean water, environmental sanitation, and disease prevention during disasters, while also equipping them with first aid and emergency response skills. In addition, 265 households received livelihood support, water storage tanks, and sanitation facilities, with the total project value estimated at around VND 2.4 billion.
The drill not only helped rapid response forces improve their practical skills, but also raised public awareness, encouraging a shift from passive response to proactive prevention and disaster risk reduction, thereby laying the groundwork for safer, more resilient and sustainable communities in the face of increasingly complex natural disasters.
