FSCD acts frontline warrior to rescue people from disasters

Currently, the FSCD is capable to tackle large-scale fire incidents for the modernization of the public-run institution, but it is a must to raise public awareness in minimizing fire accidents accordingly

Shamsul Basunia/G.R Parvez

The incumbent government led by the visionary Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has undertaken multifarious initiatives for the modernization of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) and the authority is applying the latest technologies in tackling fatal fire incidents across the country. “Currently, the FSCD is capable to tackle large-scale fire incidents for the modernization of the public-run organization, but it is a must to raise public awareness in minimizing the fire accidents accordingly”, recently told Brig Gen Md Main Uddin, Director General (DG) of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence while providing an exclusive interview to the Daily Tribunal at his office in the capital.

The FSCD is putting its utmost effort to build a safe Bangladesh by protecting lives and property in disasters. “We have already achieved our capability to tackle the fire incidents in the country under the patronization of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government. We are now recognized as one of the best institutions in Asia by combating all disasters including fire and ensuring civil safety”, added the FSCD Director General. However, the conversation is given below to consider the reader’s interest.

Daily Tribunal:  Would you mind narrating your capability in tackling fire incidents across the country?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin: The multi-storied buildings are being constructed for rapid urbanization and industrialization, calculating the cause of the fire incidents in the country and gradually the fire cases are increasing gradually. Alongside technological development and skilled manpower, we are regularly conducting various campaigns to raise public awareness of fire incidents. Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense recently added 68-meter-higher table Ladder (TTL) vehicles to its mechanical fleet in a bid to enhance the capability to tackle high-rise fire incidents. The Proper use of fire extinguishing equipment in offices and markets and awareness building among employees will bring down fire incidents. Fire Service and Civil Defense Week-2022 will begin in the upcoming November 6 across the country for creating mass awareness about natural and manmade disasters including fire incidents and the FSCD authority has taken elaborate programs to mark the week with a theme ‘Reducing Accidents: Making Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla’. Institutionally, we are now enough capable to tackle high-level fire incidents by implementing the latest technologies, but public awareness is crucial in reducing fire incidents in the country.

Daily Tribunal: What is the importance of Fire Week?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin: Considering the necessity of tackling any big fire incidents accordingly, the authority added a higher table ladder to the FSCD. Actually, every fire incident is damaging our economy and destroys our resources. We need to be more aware and cautious in reducing fire incident cases in the country. The Directorate of Fire Service and Civil Defence is constantly working to serve the people.  When people faced any kind of natural disaster or fire incident, the FSCD rescue members and firefighters reached the spot as part of the prime responsibility of the responding agency. We are going to observe fire week on November 6 with the theme “Reducing accidents: Making Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla.” The aim of the week is to find out the root causes behind accidents as well as to raise mass awareness. I am urging all to put a joint effort in tackling unwanted fire incidents in making Bangladesh as a prosperous country envisioned by the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Daily Tribunal:  What is the benefit of a higher table Ladder (TTL)?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin:  The Fire Service and Civil Defence have started a new journey by adding TTL on October 16. Which is capable of extinguishing the fire of a 24-storied high building and can safely bring down people in danger from the fireplace? Due to the implementation of the wonderful device it has become easier to deal with any fire incident in the capital Dhaka. These sophisticated land ladders have already been sent to every department including Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Barishal to deal with the fire of multi-storied buildings outside the capital and such step has been taken to ensure maximum benefit to the people.

Daily Tribunal: What types of approaches you have taken so far to ensure the fire safety of the people?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin:  Fire Service and Civil Defence is responsible to deal with all disasters to ensure civil protection. We are applying different strategies to deal with the situation in industrial, commercial, and residential areas. The people of every town are getting the benefit of the fire service and civil defense activities and the services of this department already reached the doorsteps of people.

Daily Tribunal: What is your observation in dealing the fire in industrial and slum areas?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin:  The process of fire tackling mechanism in industrial areas is different from the slum areas. To tackle the firing of the slum areas, we are applying motorcycles, pickups, and fire extinguishers policies.  Apart from this, effective steps are taken to deal with chemical and boiler explosion situations for industries. We have already trained some 100 people from Malaysia with special training to deal with chemicals and hazardous situations. After I assumed the duties of the Director General, some 40 people received special training to deal with the fire incidents in Dhaka while it is 12 for Chattogram. On the other hand, leaflets and pamphlets are being distributed to all the people about ways to escape from fire. Electrical accidents and gas cylinder accidents are the major causes for occurring fire incidents. In order to prevent unwanted fire incidents, we are providing training to the electricity and gas cylinder workers.

Daily Tribunal: Do you have any recommendations to tackle the fire incidents?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin: We are conducting awareness-raising programs among the students. We are making students for raising their awareness by visiting schools, colleges, madrasas, universities, and halls on a regular basis. We will get outcomes if the subject of fire is included in the students’ curriculum.

Daily Tribunal: What is your observation on the fire incidents in rural areas?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin:  There is no substitute for mass awareness. The awareness of the mass people would help reduce fire incidents in rural areas. We have also undertaken initiatives to tackle fire incidents in rural areas. Now, the fire station is reaching beyond the district Upazila to the union level. The road connectivity has improved and we are ensuring our service for remote areas across the country. Under the patronization of the visionary Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we plan to create 60,000 volunteers which is an ongoing process. Already, we trained 49,000 volunteers and I am hopeful that such a process will complete by the next year 2023. While conducting the training session, the volunteers are getting financial assistance. Earlier, the number of fire stations was 204 and now the number is 490.  We targeted to establish 735 fire stations in the country.

Daily Tribunal: What is the possible time to complete the ongoing construction of the International Fire Service & Civil Defence Training Academy in Munshioganj?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin:  We are implementing the Fire Service and Civil Defence Training Academy Academy at Gazaria area in the Munshigang district and I am hopeful that the construction of the important academy will complete by the year 2025.

Daily Tribunal: Would you brief me about the activities of the fire service Trust?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin:  The fire service welfare trust fund was formed to consider the betterment of the Fire Service and Civil Defence members. We are providing financial assistance when a Fire Service and Civil Defence member is for medical treatment purposes. We are also providing educational scholarships for the children of the Fire Service and Civil Defence members. The activities of the welfare trust are gradually improving and we have a plan to boost the activities of the fire service welfare trust fund.

Daily Tribunal: What is your specific plan to create skilled manpower?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin: We are dedicated to turning the Fire Service & Civil Defence into an international standard public service institution, skilled manpower is a must. We are focusing to create skilled manpower by implementing multifarious skill development programs. In the upcoming November, we are going to appoint more manpower for ensuring hassle-free services. Currently, the manpower of the public institutions is 31,000.

Daily Tribunal: Do you have any specific plan to tackle the vulnerability of the landslides?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin: We are undertaking programs to reduce the vulnerability of landslides and broiler destruction through conducting seminars, campaigns, meetings, and symposiums to provide adequate knowledge to minimize the losses from the disasters.

Daily Tribunal: How can we involve more people with the FSCD?

Brig Gen Md Main Uddin: The authority is conducting multifarious awareness-raising programs through conducting seminars, campaigns, meetings, and symposiums to provide adequate knowledge to minimize the losses from disasters. For ensuring the involvement of more people with this institution, we are paying utmost concentration attention to this connection.