3-day drill tests emergency communications for quakes, floods

The exercise concluded on Tuesday (August 25), which began on Sunday (August 23). It was conducted at 16 locations across all eight divisions, simulating various disaster scenarios, including earthquakes, cyclones, tidal surges, floods, radioactive incidents and landslides.

Fire Service Director (Operations and Maintenance) Lt Col Md Mahmudul Hasan inaugurated the exercise on Sunday morning.

Officials from the Fire Service and ARAB, including Deputy Director (Operations and Maintenance) Md Mamunur Rashid, Dhaka Divisional Deputy Director Md Saleh Uddin and ARAB General Secretary Anup Kumar Bhowmik, were present.

The exercise was organised under the direction of Fire Service Director General Brig Gen Muhammad Zahed Kamal to ensure uninterrupted communication between rescue teams during major disasters.

According to the Fire Service, the exercise primarily tested how ARAB members could work alongside Fire Service personnel to establish and restore alternative radio communication systems if the Fire Service's regular communication network becomes inoperative during a disaster.

The exercise also strengthened coordination between the two organisations and helped streamline joint operations by their personnel during emergencies, officials said.

On the second day of the exercise, Monday, Fire Service Director General Brig Gen Muhammad Zahed Kamal visited the Mirpur site and inspected the overall activities. He also provided instructions to those involved.

On the final day on Tuesday morning, Fire Service Director (Training, Planning and Development) Lt Col MA Azad Anwar inspected the overall exercise activities. The exercise was formally concluded at 3:30PM.

During the closing session, Lt Col Md Mahmudul Hasan established radio communication from the Fire Service's Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in Mirpur with Fire Service officials and ARAB representatives across all divisions.

The nationwide exercise was also evaluated virtually before the formal conclusion of the three-day drill.