Govt plans to expand fire stations to 900 nationwide

The government has unveiled a long-term plan to expand the Fire Service and Civil Defence network to 900 fire stations nationwide, aiming to transform the agency into a modern, technology-driven emergency response force capable of providing faster and more effective services.

At present, 538 fire stations are operational across the country.

In an interview with the state-run news agency BSS, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal said the expansion plan prioritises underserved and disaster-prone areas to ensure broader emergency coverage.

As part of the initiative, work is progressing on 20 new and reconstructed fire stations under an ECNEC-approved project.

The programme includes the construction of 12 new stations in areas including Dhaka, Gazipur, Cumilla, Noakhali, Feni, Jashore, Kushtia, Habiganj and Jamalpur.

At the same time, eight existing stations in Madaripur, Cumilla, Noakhali, Naogaon, Pabna, Sylhet and Mymensingh are being rebuilt to enhance operational capacity.

The Fire Service is also constructing two multi-storey residential buildings for personnel in Mirpur and Sadarghat, while work is underway to procure 100 new fire and rescue ambulances.

A modern, earthquake-resistant headquarters is also being built in Mirpur-10.

According to the Director General, the agency's fleet now includes 68-metre turntable ladders, remote-controlled firefighting vehicles, hydraulic rescue equipment and search vision cameras. Plans are also underway to introduce drones for firefighting and rescue operations.

Emergency operations are currently monitored through the Emergency Response Control Centre (ERCC). Citizens can seek Fire Service assistance through its dedicated 102 hotline or the national emergency service 999.

The agency has also modernised its training system by relocating its training complex from Mirpur to Purbachal.

In addition, a proposal is in place to establish an international-standard Fire Academy in Gazaria, Munshiganj, where personnel will receive specialised training in chemical accidents, building collapses, earthquake rescue, water rescue and nuclear emergency response.

Fire Service Director (Training, Planning and Development) Lt Col M A Azad Anwar said a proposal is being considered to increase the organisation's workforce to more than 30,000 personnel, alongside the expansion of fire stations.

He noted that rapid urbanisation, high-rise buildings, industrial expansion and the growing number of chemical warehouses have significantly increased disaster risks.

"The goal is not only to strengthen firefighting capacity but also to build a modern emergency response force capable of responding to road accidents, building collapses, earthquakes, floods, water rescues and chemical disasters," he said.