Bangladesh, situated in a region prone to natural calamities such as cyclones and floods, also grapples with man-made disasters like fires, building collapses, and accidents on a regular basis. These catastrophes cause huge loss of life and property damage almost every year, bringing great suffering and distress.
In this chaos from raging fires and dangerous waters, there is a ray of hope – the brave ‘Fire Warriors’ of the Fire Service and Civil Defense. These courageous people rush into perilous situations to save the lives and properties of citizens.
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From the horrific Rana Plaza collapse to the devastating earthquake in Turkey, the fearless Fire Warriors emerge as saviors, ready to tackle any disaster – fires, accidents, building collapse, and maritime tragedies. Their motto of speed, service, and sacrifice drives them.
The Fire Service personnel are relentless in their mission to serve the nation and humanity. They willingly take on huge risks, venturing into the heart of calamities knowing the potential costs. People trust them so much that they are called for minor rescues like retrieving kittens or birds, as well as major life-threatening situations.
The Unsung Heroes
The Fire Service and Civil Defence firefighters in Bangladesh are truly unsung heroes. They risk their own lives to save others. Between 2009 and 2022, these dedicated firefighters responded to 253,898 fire incidents. They rescued 8,838 people alive and recovered 2,191 bodies. They also protected assets worth 210,839 crore Bangladeshi Taka. The Fire Service has made great contributions in combating fires and disasters recently.
In 2022, 13 firefighters lost their lives while putting out a fire at a container depot in Chattogram. The government honored them with the title ‘Agniveer’ (Fire Heroes).
In the earthquake-stricken region of Turkey, a team of 12 Bangladeshi firefighters distinguished themselves by effectively contributing to rescue efforts alongside their global counterparts. The Fire Service has received awards like the Red Crescent Award and Rotary Award for their work. In 2023, they got the Independence Award for their excellent public service.
Major fire incidents have tragically claimed many lives, including firefighters. In 2010, 124 people died in the Nimtoli fire in Dhaka. In March 2023, explosions in the Gulistan and Science Lab area killed one member of the firefighters who responded.
In other incidents in 2023, fires at an oxygen plant in Chattogram killed 6, and a massive blaze in Rohingya refugee camps killed 15 and left 45,000 homeless. Firefighters faced huge risks tackling these emergencies.
The data shows the grave dangers firefighters face to save lives, sometimes losing their own. Each loss is tragic for the nation. But their bravery and sacrifice inspire us and remind us of firefighters’ vital role in protecting communities.
Historical Background
The origins of the Fire Service in the Indian subcontinent trace back to the British era, established between 1939 and 1940. With the partition of India, the service was bifurcated; Calcutta received its own Fire Service, while the broader Bengal region retained a separate entity. In 1947, this regional service was rebranded as the East Pakistan Fire Service.
World War II saw the inception of the Department of Civil Defense in India, initially focused on Air Raid Precautions (ARP) and later formalized in 1951. A specialized Rescue Department was also established under the Roads and Highways Department for efficient operational management.
Bangladesh inherited the Fire Service & Civil Defense framework from East Pakistan after its independence. Historical records reveal that in 1959, the President of Pakistan issued the “East Pakistan Fire Services Ordinance” to oversee fire brigade operations, warehouse licensing, and related matters. Subsequently, the “East Pakistan Fire Services Rules, 1961” were formulated under this ordinance. These regulations underwent amendments in 1970, and after Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign nation, it adopted and further amended these laws in 1974, 1999, and 2000.
Ultimately, the Bangladeshi government enacted the ‘Fire Prevention and Extinction Act of 2003’, a comprehensive legislation aimed at fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue operations. Additionally, Bangladesh continued the Civil Defense structure established by Pakistan, adopting ‘The Civil Defense Act, 1952’, which delineates the organization’s responsibilities during both peace and wartime. Despite its title suggesting a focus on Civil Defense, the practical application of this aspect within the organization has not developed as extensively as intended.
Modernization of Fire Service
The Fire Service and Civil Defence Department of Bangladesh has added a new vehicle with a special turntable ladder to improve firefighting and rescue operations in tall buildings. This is part of their efforts to modernize and enhance their services. The vehicle, brought from Germany, has a ladder that can extend up to 68 meters, allowing it to tackle fires in buildings up to 24 stories high. It is equipped with a diesel engine and can carry 1,800 liters of water, enabling it to project water from a distance of 25 feet to extinguish fires effectively.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, under the modernization plan for the Fire Service, there is a proposal to purchase 357 new ambulances to serve as quick response teams. Currently, there are 190 ambulances in operation, and their use is increasing due to the rise in road accidents. Construction is ongoing for the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Fire Academy, and a five-story hospital dedicated to the Fire Service has been built in Mirpur.
In 2009, the Fire Service and Civil Defence had just over 6,000 personnel, but this number has now increased to over 14,000. When the ongoing fire station construction projects are completed, this number is expected to reach 16,000. Additionally, initiatives have been taken to restructure the organizational structure to increase the workforce to 31,000. The rank of ‘fireman’ has been changed to ‘firefighter’, and their salary grade has been upgraded from 18 to 17.
Limitations of Present FS&CD Organization
The Directorate of Fire Service & Civil Defense (FS&CD) has several areas that need improvement. One of the main issues is the lack of Fire Stations in each Upazilla. This is crucial for ensuring nationwide fire safety coverage.
The organization is also lacking in essential disaster-fighting equipment. This includes equipment like Turn Table Ladder, Snorkel, Emergency Tender, Foam Tender, and Chemical Tender. These should be available in all the 44 class-1 Fire stations. For modernization, the Directorate has proposed a list of 69 kinds of essential equipment to the Ministry of Home Affairs for approval.
Given that Bangladesh is prone to disasters, the members of FS & CD must receive the latest and modernized training both domestically and internationally. This will help them cope with various forms of disasters.
Lastly, the Civil Defense Structure and Function are currently inactive. This could pose challenges in sudden warfare situations. Before the creation of The Directorate of Fire Service & Civil Defense in 1982, the Civil Defense Organization had a separate identity, structure, and management. However, now there is no structure, management, and function of Civil Defense, which is a concern.
