Staff Reporter :
The government is constantly working to increase the capacity of the fire service to reduce losses of property and lives. To execute the mission and the plan, steps have already been taken to set up fire stations in all the upazilas, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the government to build fire stations in all upazilas for the purposes.
“There are 436 fire stations across the country and some 129 new fire stations will be established by 2021. Besides, there are plans to set up 11 more modern model fire stations in the industrial areas of Gazipur, Narayanganj, Dhaka and Chattogram,” said the minister.
Along with it, three separate projects are underway to set up 155 fire stations in the gaps across the country, he said, adding there would be around 720 fire stations after execution of the plans.
The minister made the remarks while inaugurating “Fire Service and Civil Defense Week-2020” in a video conference on Thursday from the ministry.
The government is also working to increase the manpower of the fire service. In 2009, the total manpower was only 6,175, but now it rose to 13,100.
The government is reforming the organogram of the fire service to increase its manpower to more than 25,000.
An initiative has been taken to set up Bangabandhu Fire Academy for better training of fire service personnel. Once it is introduced, it will be possible to give advanced training to fire fighters of the country, he said.
Presently, the fire service has the ability to douse fire and conduct rescue operations up to the 19th floor, he said, adding that the capacity will be raised to the 21st floor as vehicles with 68 meter ladders will be added next year.
There were only 63 ambulances in the fire service, increased to 185, and ambulances will be provided to each of the fire station in phases, he said.
Commenting that people consider the fire service as a friend in danger, the minister said, “Wherever I have seen accidents on the road side or in the bushes or slums, the firefighters have stood by the people with their services.”
“I think the observance of this Fire Service and Civil Defense Week will enhance the professionalism of the staff and increase public engagement with them,” he said.
Fire Service and Civil Defense Week-2020 started across the country from Thursday with the aim of raising nationwide awareness on the theme “Training, Plan and Preparation; speed up disaster management”.
This week will be celebrated till November 21 through various programmes conducted by the Fire Service and Civil Defense.
According to the Fire Service, the main objective of this week’s celebration is to raise awareness among the people and involve them in the activities of the fire service.
The government is constantly working to increase the capacity of the fire service to reduce losses of property and lives. To execute the mission and the plan, steps have already been taken to set up fire stations in all the upazilas, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the government to build fire stations in all upazilas for the purposes.
“There are 436 fire stations across the country and some 129 new fire stations will be established by 2021. Besides, there are plans to set up 11 more modern model fire stations in the industrial areas of Gazipur, Narayanganj, Dhaka and Chattogram,” said the minister.
Along with it, three separate projects are underway to set up 155 fire stations in the gaps across the country, he said, adding there would be around 720 fire stations after execution of the plans.
The minister made the remarks while inaugurating “Fire Service and Civil Defense Week-2020” in a video conference on Thursday from the ministry.
The government is also working to increase the manpower of the fire service. In 2009, the total manpower was only 6,175, but now it rose to 13,100.
The government is reforming the organogram of the fire service to increase its manpower to more than 25,000.
An initiative has been taken to set up Bangabandhu Fire Academy for better training of fire service personnel. Once it is introduced, it will be possible to give advanced training to fire fighters of the country, he said.
Presently, the fire service has the ability to douse fire and conduct rescue operations up to the 19th floor, he said, adding that the capacity will be raised to the 21st floor as vehicles with 68 meter ladders will be added next year.
There were only 63 ambulances in the fire service, increased to 185, and ambulances will be provided to each of the fire station in phases, he said.
Commenting that people consider the fire service as a friend in danger, the minister said, “Wherever I have seen accidents on the road side or in the bushes or slums, the firefighters have stood by the people with their services.”
“I think the observance of this Fire Service and Civil Defense Week will enhance the professionalism of the staff and increase public engagement with them,” he said.
Fire Service and Civil Defense Week-2020 started across the country from Thursday with the aim of raising nationwide awareness on the theme “Training, Plan and Preparation; speed up disaster management”.
This week will be celebrated till November 21 through various programmes conducted by the Fire Service and Civil Defense.
According to the Fire Service, the main objective of this week’s celebration is to raise awareness among the people and involve them in the activities of the fire service.
