In the framework of a performance audit, the State Audit Office of Hungary examined the effectiveness of the information, fire protection authority and supervisory activities carried out in the field of fire prevention in the disaster prevention system – in order to protect life and safety of property. The SAO of Hungary found, among other things, that the extensive and diverse information activities of the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of the Interior, the National Fire Prevention Committee and regional bodies contributed to the successful operation of the fire prevention system.
According to the SAO report on the audit, the fire protection audits, which constitute a significant part of the fire protection authority and supervisory activities, were planned and based on risk analysis, the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of the Interior and the regional bodies achieved the set goals in the field of fire protection authority and supervision tasks, leading to an effective performance of tasks.
According to the assessment of the State Audit Office of Hungary, the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of the Interior planned the tasks and objectives of the information activity for fire prevention based on the sectoral objectives defined by the Ministry of the Interior. The report highlights that the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of the Interior, the National Fire Prevention Committee and the regional bodies carried out extensive and diverse information activities, contributing to the effective operation of the fire prevention system. The report positively cites that, in addition to the media appearances, the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of the Interior, the National Fire Prevention Committee and the regional bodies personally passed on fire prevention knowledge to the population at various events, paying special attention to the allocation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, as their placement in households in itself contributes to the prevention of fire-related accidents.
As a result of the audit, the State Audit Office of Hungary pointed out that expanding the range of data from external sources, which can be used for risk analysis enables more targeted planning of audits and information activities, thus further increasing the effectiveness of official, supervisory and information activities. Among the findings of the SAO of Hungary, it is also stated that the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of the Interior, the National Fire Prevention Committee and the regional bodies strengthened the cooperation with partner institutions, enterprises and other institutions for informational activities. In the same way, the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of the Interior and National Food Chain Safety Office cooperated in the prevention of forest fires and fires occurring during agricultural activity with special regards to harvesting.
In order to remedy the shortcomings found during the audit, the SAO of Hungary made recommendations to the Director General of the National Directorate General for Disaster Management of the Ministry of the Interior, among other things, regarding the setting of quantifiable goals linked to information activities, the updating of cooperation agreements and forest fire protection plans, the regulation and more efficient use of data as well as the separate statements of the prorated personal allowances of the members of the professional disaster prevention organisation, which also carries out fire prevention activities linked to the National Fire Prevention Committee.
The report is available by clicking here.