4:14:17 PM | 11/2/2026
October 31, 2026, The Ministry of Public Security and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, in coordination with Long Son Petrochemicals (LSP), successfully conducted a Ministry-Level Firefighting and Rescue Exercise at the LSP complex in Long Son Commune, Ho Chi Minh City. LSP’s combination of petrochemical production facilities, storage tanks and a marine terminal provided a setting for testing emergency response across land and sea. The exercise tested how on-site responders and public authorities coordinate during simultaneous industrial emergencies to protect workers, neighboring communities and the environment.
Senior leaders attend the Ministry-Level Firefighting and Rescue Exercise at LSP
The exercise mobilized 2,571 personnel, 147 vehicles and six service animals. Resources included 27 fire engines, 23 command vehicles, eight aerial ladder trucks, five rescue vehicles, 12 ambulances, six firefighting robots and eight firefighting vessels. 32 participating forces included units from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, Ho Chi Minh City Police, Dong Nai Police, Tay Ninh Police, government agencies, maritime authorities, healthcare organizations and members of the Emergency Mutual Aid Group (EMAG).
Mr. Tran Van Bay, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, delivers the welcome remarks
The exercise was attended by Mr. Tran Van Bay, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; Major General Duong Duc Hai, Director of the Fire and Rescue Police Department (C07), Ministry of Public Security; Major General Nguyen Thanh Huong, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Police; together with representatives of government departments and agencies, local authorities, and participating units from Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai City and Tay Ninh Province.
Major General Duong Duc Hai, Director of the Fire and Rescue Police Department (C07), Ministry of Public Security delivers the directive speech at the exercise
Testing the response from initial action to multi-agency coordination
The simulated scenarios involved fires, explosions and structural collapse in the tank farm area; a vessel fire and naphtha spill at the jetty; and a traffic accident involving a hydrochloric acid release. Rescue teams also practiced reaching casualties trapped under collapsed structures, at elevated locations, inside vehicles and at sea. The challenging scenario was designed to test coordination under multiple worst-case conditions. This preventive exercise strengthened preparedness and confidence in our collective ability to protect people.
Mr. Kulachet Dharachandra, General Director of Long Son Petrochemicals, delivers closing remarks and expresses appreciation to participating agencies and forces
After the simulated incidents were detected, LSP activated its highest emergency response level, mobilized on-site resources and initiated emergency communications. Teams carried out firefighting, rescue, emergency medical care, containment of simulated chemical releases and prevent environmental contamination. Upon arrival of the Firefighting and Rescue Police, command was transferred in accordance with established procedures. A unified command center coordinated firefighting, rescue, medical, traffic, maritime and chemical-response operations across designated sectors. The response progressively expanded to include additional forces from Ho Chi Minh City, the ministries and neighboring provinces. This sequence tested LSP’s ability to act during the critical initial phase and integrate its on-site response with a wider, government-led operation.
More than 2,500 personnel and 147 vehicles participated in the Ministry-Level Exercise, demonstrating large-scale emergency response coordination
For neighboring communities, the importance of the exercise extends beyond firefighting inside the complex. Early detection, prompt containment and effective coordination help reduce the risk of fires spreading, chemical releases moving beyond the site and spills affecting surrounding waters. Testing this coordination helps identify gaps before a real emergency, supporting improvements in procedures, training and cooperation between LSP and public authorities.
Building readiness through people, systems and investment
LSP’s readiness is built on well-trained personnel and world-class Process Safety Management (PSM) systems. The company has invested USD 100 million in safe operations and environmental protection. Its resources include a 24/7 Emergency Communication Center (ECC) and Medical Center, 600 smart CCTV cameras, and 2,000 fire detection devices and installations, and specialized equipment including drones. LSP also maintains an on-site Firefighting Team of 242 members and a dedicated Industrial Firefighting and Rescue Team of 48 specially trained personnel, supported by four fire trucks and a fully equipped ambulance.
Response teams simulated large-scale firefighting operations at the tank farm area to contain fires and prevent escalation
For large storage-tank fire scenarios, LSP is equipped with the Big Gun firefighting system, capable of discharging approximately 8,000 gallons of water per minute and reaching distances of up to 120 meters. Together, these resources support incident monitoring, early warning and response, while regular training prepares personnel to use them effectively.
“Readiness depends on safety discipline, trained people, reliable systems, specialized equipment and clear procedures working together. We continue to invest in these foundations and practice with public authorities because our responsibility extends to our employees, neighboring communities and the environment. This exercise helps us test how these elements work together and identify where we need to improve,” said Mr. Kulachet Dharachandra, General Director of LSP.
Maritime rescue operations formed a key part of the exercise scenario, testing coordination across land and sea response teams
As Vietnam’s first fully integrated petrochemical complex and a major foreign-invested industrial project, LSP supports the country’s industrial development and domestic manufacturing. With that role comes a responsibility to protect the people, communities around it and the environment. The lasting value of this exercise lies in turning lessons into action—strengthening everyday readiness so that, when an emergency occurs, LSP, public authorities, EMAG members and specialized response forces can act together quickly to save lives, limit environmental harm and protect neighboring communities.
By Van Luong, Vietnam Business Forum
