Silently facing danger
Darkness, lack of oxygen, temperatures that can "burn skin and flesh" are familiar working environments for soldiers of the Fire and Rescue Police Department (PCCC&CNCH) of Lam Dong Provincial Police.
For many years, they have silently faced danger, ready to rush into the boundary between life and death, only within a hair's breadth, with a single command: "Save people, save property".
More than 20 years attached to the profession, Lieutenant Colonel Do Bach Tung - Head of the Fire and Rescue Police Department - cannot remember all the times he rushed into the sea of fire.
However, there are also unforgettable incidents. For example, the landslide on Hoang Hoa Tham street (Da Lat), where he and his teammates saved 5 victims who were buried.
In the middle of the wrecked scene, the house could collapse at any time. But in front of that pile of soil and rocks, my teammates and I only had one command from the heart: We must bring those trapped out. That determination helped us regain the lives of 5 people," Lieutenant Colonel Do Bach Tung recalled.
Not only facing the danger from the concrete blocks waiting to collapse, he and his teammates also crossed the sea of fire, dived into the freezing cold water, and dived into the deep abyss to search and rescue.
He shared: "The job is always potentially dangerous, but wherever we are, we are present from the first minutes. Each case is a battle with different situations, requiring ingenuity, creativity and above all steel spirit, a heart always for the people.
Not only facing the "fire enemy", the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue force also handles many incidents such as traffic accidents, labor accidents, drowning, tunnel collapses, construction collapses, large fires and explosions... Each task is racing against time, every second is precious.
Senior Lieutenant Pham Van Tung, officer of Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Team Area 12, who has been attached to the profession for more than 14 years, said that each time he drives out, he is on the battlefield. He once participated in rescue at a tunnel collapse about 40m deep. In a cramped space, lacking oxygen, he volunteered to go down to the tunnel to bring 3 victims safely up.
Since the alarm bell rang, we only have 90 seconds to prepare. Whether eating, showering or resting, hearing the bell immediately sets us off," Mr. Tung shared.
Serving the people
Firefighters do not act like machines. They must think flexibly and act with their hearts - something that fire and rescue officers and soldiers always keep in mind.
No fire is the same as any other. Each scene contains potential risks such as gas cylinders, gasoline, chemicals that can explode; collapsed structures; dense toxic smoke... Just a small mistake, the rescuer can become a victim.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Tien Hong, Head of the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Department of Lam Dong Provincial Police, said: "The Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue force undertakes many tasks, each officer and soldier is multi-purpose trained. High-intensity training makes accidents and injuries unavoidable. But that is training to be ready to overcome all challenges.
In 2025, the whole province recorded 59 fires, a decrease of 19 cases compared to 2024. PC07 Department mobilized 132 vehicle turns, 791 turns of officers and soldiers to participate in firefighting, minimizing damage.
In 118 rescue and relief cases, the Fire and Rescue Police force rescued 560 people; guided and supported thousands of households to relocate from areas isolated by natural disasters; and at the same time searched and brought 72 victims' bodies to their families.
Behind each victory is silent sacrifice. Firefighters are still steadfast at the front lines, carrying in their hearts the oath "Saving the lives and property of the people is paramount". Thereby, contributing to maintaining peace for their homeland of Lam Dong.
