Fire service may also suffer damage if magnitude 7+ earthquake hits Dhaka: DG

A magnitude 7 or stronger earthquake striking Dhaka would also damage the Fire Service and Civil Defence itself, making rescue operations significantly more difficult, agency Director General Brig Gen Muhammad Jahed Kamal has warned. 

"At the same time, carrying out rescue operations in multiple locations across the city will become extremely challenging," the DG said today (2 August) while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a two-day fire safety training programme for members of the Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB). 

The fire service has brought around 100 stations across different parts of the country under a coordinated response plan to tackle a major earthquake, he said during the event at the fire service headquarters in Bangabazar, Dhaka.

If such a disaster occurs, manpower and equipment from these stations will be deployed quickly to affected areas, Jahed said, adding that a dry exercise has already been conducted as part of the preparedness plan.

The fire service is also working on using helicopters to transport small-scale rescue equipment and firefighters when required, he added.

'Media also needs disaster preparedness'

The fire service chief said media organisations also need to prepare themselves for emergencies.

"If television channels and news organisations divide areas among themselves and prepare response plans, it will help provide the government with faster and more accurate information, making rescue operations more effective," he said.

He urged journalists to prioritise their own safety while covering earthquake-related incidents.

"Before entering damaged buildings, safety must be ensured. Rescue strategies vary depending on the structure and condition of a collapsed building," he said.

Jahed also called on the media to regularly promote public awareness on earthquake preparedness, including safety measures during tremors, avoiding lifts, identifying safe shelters, and keeping emergency kits with essential medicines, flashlights and whistles.

New infrastructure creating new risks

Speaking about the fire service's capacity enhancement, Jahed said new infrastructure projects such as nuclear power plants, metro rail and tunnels have introduced new types of risks.

Fire service personnel are receiving specialised training to deal with accidents at these facilities, he said.

A fire station has already been established at the nuclear power plant, and theoretical and practical training programmes are being conducted in cooperation with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, he added.

Digital initiatives for transparency

The DG said the fire service is an expensive emergency service organisation, as its vehicles and equipment require significant maintenance due to frequent involvement in firefighting and rescue operations.

He stressed the importance of support from development partners, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, and volunteers to strengthen the organisation's capacity.
Highlighting transparency initiatives, he said fire licences have been fully brought under an online system and that QR codes have been added to each licence to prevent the use of fake documents.

He called for greater cooperation from the media to make the Fire Service a more modern, efficient and transparent organisation and to raise public awareness during disasters.