Fire Service vulnerable to 7+ magnitude quake: DG

A magnitude 7 or stronger quake striking Dhaka would also affect the Fire Service Civil Defence itself, making it difficult to conduct rescue operations simultaneously at numerous locations, said Brig Gen Muhammad Jahed Kamal, Director General (DG) of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD).

He made the remarks on Sunday while addressing a two-day Fire Safety Training programme as the chief guest at the Fire Service headquarters in Dhaka’s Fulbaria. The training was organised for members of the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB).

The DG said nearly 100 Fire Service stations across different parts of the country have been brought under a special contingency plan to respond to major earthquakes. Under the plan, personnel and equipment would be rapidly deployed from those stations to affected areas when necessary. 

A dry exercise has already been conducted as part of the preparedness plan, and efforts are underway to facilitate the transport of firefighters and lightweight rescue equipment by helicopter, he added.

Speaking about enhancing the Fire Service’s capacity, Jahed Kamal said new infrastructure such as the country’s nuclear power plant, metro rail system, and tunnels has created specialised risks. Fire Service personnel are receiving specialised training to deal with emergencies at these facilities.

He added that a Fire Service station has already been established at the nuclear power plant, while theoretical and practical training programmes have been launched in cooperation with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.

The DG also said the Fire Service licensing system has been fully digitised, with QR codes added to every fire licence to prevent forgery.

He stressed that the media should also strengthen its disaster preparedness. If news organisations coordinate coverage by dividing affected areas among themselves, accurate information could reach the government more quickly, making rescue operations more effective. 

He also urged journalists to ensure their own safety before entering earthquake-damaged buildings, noting that personal safety should remain a top priority while reporting.