Work underway to build 20 new fire stations and procure 100 ambulances: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that the implementation of the project to construct and reconstruct 20 fire stations is already underway to increase the capacity and capability of the fire service and civil defense. At the same time, he said that the process of procuring 100 ambulances is also underway to expand the ambulance service. In addition, a proposal to create 72 posts to increase the capacity of divers has been recently approved.

The Home Minister said these things while speaking as the chief guest at the 'Fire Service Week, Medal Distribution and Passing Out Parade' program organized at the Purbachal Multipurpose Training Ground in the capital on Tuesday (May 19).

The minister said that currently fire service and civil defense services are being provided through 538 fire stations across the country, which is not enough compared to the demand. Therefore, the project to construct and reconstruct new stations is being implemented considering the public importance.

Salahuddin Ahmed said, Fire Service and Civil Defense is a service-oriented organization. Enthusiastic about speed, service and sacrifice, the members of this force work at the risk of their lives to protect people's lives and property in disasters, accidents and critical moments. Their professional attitude, courage and service activities in various fires and disasters have earned the trust of people from all walks of life.

He also said that the capacity of this force to deal with boat accidents will increase further if the recruitment of new manpower is completed. In addition, a proposal to increase the number of fire stations and restructure the organogram of the Fire Service to increase the number of members to more than 30,000 as planned is also under consideration.

At this time, the Home Minister said that initiatives have been taken to establish a Fire Service and Civil Defense Academy in the Gazaria area to improve the quality of training. He said, an online-based 'e-fire license' program has been launched from May 1 to ensure simplification, transparency and accountability of the Fire Service. If all development activities are implemented as planned, the capacity of the Fire Service will increase manifold.

Salahuddin Ahmed said that the government is also working to improve the facilities and amenities of the fire service members. To solve the housing problem of the members, two multi-storey residential building construction projects are in the implementation stage in Mirpur and Sadarghat areas of Dhaka. In addition, the construction of the headquarters building in Mirpur is also underway.

He also said that fire service members have sacrificed their lives at various times while participating in firefighting and rescue operations. Most recently, three employees of this force were killed in a fire at a chemical factory in the Tongi area.