Border guard force ready to respond to natural disasters

Along with checking equipment and vehicles, all units based in sea, island and coastal areas have been asked to increase training while maintaining close watch on weather developments and timely alerting fishermen on bad weather conditions.

According to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Dang Van Viet, head of the Ganh Dau border post in the island district of Phu Quoc, the unit has strengthened communication activities to raise locals’ awareness on disaster risks and how to protect their lives and property.  Meanwhile, border guard units across the province have coordinated with waterway police, the Naval Zone 5 and Coast Guard Zone 4 as well as local governments to conduct patrols in estuaries and coastal areas, intensify inspection on maritime safety regulations and strictly handle violations.

Since March this year, 50 rehearsals have been implemented, involving thousands of locals and officials. Local border guards have also popularize regulations on waterway safety and fishing operations at sea among fishermen.

Colonel Bui Minh Tri, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Kien Giang Border Guard force, said that along with the preparations, the command has set up a centre for search, rescue and natural disaster relief in Tho Chau island in Phu Quoc district.

The command has directed its Flotilla 2 to design a patrol timetable, ensuring timely response to fishermen’s requests for support, while upgrading equipment and means of connection with fishermen to make sure locals access information from authorities in the fastest manner, he added.