In order to improve the effectiveness of incident response, search and rescue, Army units should uphold the sense of responsibility and solidarity, overcome difficulties, and promote their role as the core force in implementing this "combat mission in peacetime", contributing to embellishing the tradition of a heroic Army.

In 2021, not only the Covid-19 pandemic inflicted heavy damage, but incidents and natural disasters also happened very complicatedly and unpredictably across the country. However, under the close leadership and direction of the Central Military Commission, leaders of the Ministry of National Defence and the General Staff, Army units have coordinated with friendly forces and localities to successfully complete the task of responding to disasters and incidents, search and rescue. Notably, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, and the General Staff have led and directed units to drastically implement measures to prevent, control and overcome the consequences of incidents and natural disasters, search and rescue; strictly maintain the readiness regime, firmly grasp the situation; propose to mobilise military and non-military forces for the prevention, combat and timely and effective handling of disasters, accidents, incidents, search and rescue nationwide; mobilised tens of thousands of people and vehicles with hundreds of thousands of working days to help people proactively respond to and overcome consequences of incidents and disasters, search and rescue; coordinated with local Party committees and authorities to support hundreds of billions of dong along with many essential goods and materials, etc. to mitigate the consequences and stabilise production and people's lives. The images of Army officers and soldiers in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City left strong feelings in the mind of people and beautified the image of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers".

In 2022, along with the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is forecast that incidents and disasters in our country will continue to be complicated and anomalous. Storms, tropical depressions, large-scale heavy rains, floods, high tides, sea level rise, heat waves, droughts, saltwater intrusion, tornadoes, forest fires, flash floods, landslides,...are becoming increasingly severe, complicated, extreme, irregular, and unpredictable. This poses higher requirements for the Army to implement the task of incident and disaster response, search and rescue. That situation requires Army units to focus on implementing the following measures.

Firstly, strengthening propaganda, education, awareness and responsibility raising for officers and soldiers for this task. Party committees and commanders at all levels should continue to thoroughly grasp the resolutions and directives of the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defence on the task of incident and disaster response, search and rescue; The International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 (SAR-79). Strengthen legal education and dissemination and instruct the handling of ship disasters at sea and response to oil spills; prevent, respond, overcome and rebuild after incidents, disasters of toxic chemicals, etc., making Army officers and soldiers firmly grasp the viewpoints, principles and mottos for responding to incidents and disasters; well aware of the role, functions and tasks of the Army in incident and disaster response, search and rescue.

Checking the equipment and means for search and rescue at the National Northern Oil Spill Response Centre

Secondly, improving the efficiency of direction and management of incident and disaster response, search and rescue. In the face of complications and anomaly of natural disasters, agencies and units should regularly review, adjust and supplement plans to respond to incidents and natural disasters, search and rescue relevant to actual situations and suitable to each type of disaster that is popular in each region, especially in highly prone areas, etc. At the same time, it is necessary to exert strict command and control; maintain round the clock readiness regime; firmly grasp the situation and thoroughly prepare forces and means to proactively respond in the event of incidents, especially in response to heavy storms, collapsed building, fires and explosions, forest fires, etc. In addition, Army units should regularly coordinate and cooperate with the Party committees, local authorities, all levels, branches and forces participating in incident and disaster response, search and rescue to ensure the tight and unified direction and management.

Thirdly, having the right deployment and use of  forces and means; adhering to the "4 on the spot" motto. Party committees and commanders of agencies and units should actively advise their superior leaders and commander and local authorities in deploying and using forces and means for responding to incidents and natural disasters, search and rescue appropriately and effectively for each situation, especially serious, complicated and unexpected situations. In particular, it is necessary to thoroughly grasp and implement the "4 on the spot" motto to mobilise the resources of all levels, branches and forces at the place of incidents or natural disasters, especially vehicles, equipment and supplies of non-military businesses, agencies and units, in order to promptly and effectively handle the arising situations. This is the most effective way to accomplish this important task.

Fourthly, continuing to innovate and improve the quality of training in incident and disaster response, search and rescue for forces to meet mission requirements. For the past years, Army units have maintained a positive routine of training, drills, and contests on disasters and incidents response. In particular, the Ministry of National Defence has successfully hosted the "Accident Zone" contest in the Army Games 2021 in Vietnam. The VPA team participated in the contest and won Silver medal. These activities helped improving our capability in organisation, command, manoeuvring forces to respond to incidents and disasters, search and rescue in difficult and harsh conditions to meet the requirements and tasks. Promoting the achieved results, in the coming time, agencies and units should focus on improving the quality of training, focusing on the maneuverability and the practice of search and rescue; closely combine training with drills according to plans and situations. Regularly coordinate with localities to hold defensive area drills associated with civil defence drills at all levels in order to improve the command and synergy in responding to natural disasters, search and rescue of forces in difficult and complicated conditions.

Finally, stepping up the development and perfection of legal documents on incident and disaster response, search and rescue. Over the past time, the Department of Search and Rescue has advised the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response, Search and Rescue under the Ministry of National Defence to develop and issue legal documents, plans for directing and administering incident and disaster response, search and rescue, and civil defence, such as: Five-year plan for incident and disaster response, search and rescue (2021 - 2025), Plan to respond to chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear incidents and disasters; proposed to the Prime Minister for approval the National Civil Defence Plan for the period of 2021 – 2025; promulgated the List of civil defence equipment; proposed the elaboration of the Law on Civil Defence; developed projects and plans in the field of incident and disaster response, search and rescue in accordance with regulations. This is the necessary legal ground for all levels, branches, forces and localities to implement this important task. Promoting the achieved results, in the coming time, the Department will continue to study and advise the Ministry of National Defence, the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response,  Search and Rescue to effectively implement the Government's Decree No. 30/2017/ND-CP, dated March 21, 2017, stipulating the organisation and operation of incident and disaster response, search and rescue; Decree No. 02/2019/ND-CP, dated January 2, 2019 of the Government on civil defence. In addition, it will continue to further research and advise on the development and completion of important legal documents on incident and disaster response, search and rescue and civil defence, such as: Law on Civil Defence; Project on capacity building in the field of incident and disaster response, search and rescue up to the year of 2030 and beyond; National plan to respond to earthquakes and tsunamis; Circular stipulating international cooperation in the field of search and rescue, etc., as a legal basis for all levels, branches, agencies and units in the whole army to thoroughly grasp and implement.

Though unexpected, incidents and natural disasters do occur and are becoming increasingly complicated. In order to minimise their damage to lives and property of the State, organisations and people, Army officers, soldiers, agencies and units should uphold the sense of responsibility, solidarity, overcome difficulties, further improve professionalism, promote the role of the core force, and successfully complete this “combat task in peacetime".

Major General DOAN THAI DUC, Director of the Department of Search and Rescue