HCM City Enhancing Deployment of Early Fire Warning and Communication Systems

The Law on Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue 55/2024/QH15 and Decree 105/2025/ND-CP (effective July 1, 2025) introduce important new regulations to strengthen fire safety. Among these, the deployment of information, warning, and fire communication systems is considered a key solution, enabling early detection, timely signal transmission, and improved emergency response. As a densely populated special urban area with many high-rise buildings, Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) is proactively strengthening implementation of these requirements.

According to Articles 25 and 27 of Decree 105/2025/ND-CP, every establishment subject to fire safety and rescue management, including businesses, government agencies, organizations, apartment buildings, hotels and commercial centers, must install and maintain fire communication devices connected to the national Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Database. The heads of these establishments are responsible for paying maintenance fees and ensuring installation is completed no later than July 1, 2027.

In recent times, HCM City Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police has strengthened fire safety communication. 
In the photo: Fire safety instructions displayed on an LED screen at Bach Dang Riverside Park

Notably, the regulation extends beyond organizations to individual households in centrally governed cities. Homeowners, especially in areas with limited transport infrastructure or firefighting water sources, are required to equip fire extinguishers and fire communication devices, keep them operational, and complete installation by the same deadline. This marks a shift from voluntary compliance to a binding legal obligation, clearly defining the responsibilities of both organizations and individuals in fire prevention.

By specifying these responsibilities, the regulations lay the foundation for a synchronized warning and communication system, moving toward centralized management and unified command. When applied across agencies, businesses, and households, HCM City will be able to establish a more comprehensive monitoring and response network, instead of focusing only on large facilities as before.

Building on this foundation, modern warning and communication systems are being developed with digital technology, enabling direct connection to the Command Information Center of the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police under HCM City Police. In the event of an incident, alerts are triggered locally through sound and light, while data is transmitted instantly to the command center. This provides important extra time for evacuation and helps prevent panic, particularly in high-rise buildings, densely populated neighborhoods, and complex structures.

Beyond early detection, the system also enhances the speed and accuracy of emergency response. Incident location data supports the deployment of suitable forces and equipment, avoiding wasted time and resources. The command center can monitor on-site progress in real time and make timely adjustments to prevent fire spread.

For users, the benefits are clear: facility owners, building managers, and households can monitor devices remotely via mobile applications, schedule regular inspections, and receive reminders, ensuring equipment readiness. Centralized data also provides a basis for risk analysis and forecasting, enabling more scientific command and decision-making.

The application of digital technology has shifted fire prevention and rescue from a passive to a proactive approach, from delayed response to rapid action. This represents progress not only in preventing and minimizing fire damage, but also in aligning with the vision of building a smart, safe, and sustainable city.

Strict compliance with requirements for installing and connecting fire communication devices is not only a legal obligation but also a community responsibility. HCM City Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police recommends that agencies, businesses, and households promptly review their current fire alarm systems and proactively implement connections in accordance with regulations. In case of technical or procedural difficulties, individuals and organizations can directly contact the police for timely guidance and support.

Ngoc Tung (Vietnam Business Forum)