The State Council has released a circular on the implementation of an accountability system to improve fire prevention efforts.

In general, local governments will be responsible for fire prevention work in their administrative regions, and public security departments under the State Council will supervise fire prevention work nationwide, according to the circular.

To ensure accountability and responsibility, governments above the county level should abide by fire prevention laws and regulations, incorporate fire prevention work into their overall development plan, supervise fire prevention work for lower level governments, establish regular fire prevention inspection mechanisms, set up firefighter teams in accordance with the laws, and organize fire fighting and emergency rescue work, said the circular.

In addition, provincial governments should also take charge of related activities, such as organizing regular meetings on fire prevention, working out and revising local regulations, including fire prevention work in city plans, and increasing investments.

The circular urged governments at city and county levels to regard fire prevention as an important issue concerning people’s lives.

These governments were also asked to encourage the installation of simple spray systems and fire alarms in crowded places, such as welfare institutions, kindergartens, child care centers, households, small inns and rental housing.

Town-level government departments should arrange necessary fire prevention funds, and guide fire prevention work in villages and communities.

Departments with administrative management or public service functions should support fire prevention work.

State organs, organizations, enterprises and public institutions should clarify their fire prevention responsibilities, guarantee the maintenance of fire fighting facilities, carry out regular fire-prevention checks and establish their own fire fighting teams if needed.

The State Council said it will organize an annual assessment for fire-prevention work among provincial governments, and it also urged local governments to set up their own evaluation standards.