Staff Correspondent

Fire Service and Civil Defense Dhaka Division has held a preparatory meeting with the participation of stakeholders to conduct post-earthquake firefighting and coordinated rescue operations on Monday.

The meeting was organized with the owners and representatives of government and private organizations that have cranes, excavators and other heavy rescue equipment from Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Munshiganj and Narsingdi districts.

The event was organized at the conference room of the Fire Service's EOC Center, Mirpur.

Since Dhaka is one of the most vulnerable places in the country in terms of earthquakes, the meeting was organized by the Fire Service and Civil Defense, Dhaka Division on the instructions of Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal, ndc, afws, psc, Director General of Fire Service. Director (Operation and Maintenance) of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department, Lt. Col. Md. Mahmudul Hasan, psc, was present as the chief guest at the event.

The program began at 11:00 AM with the recitation of the Quran. Then the members of the Fire Service and invited representatives introduced themselves. After the introduction, the Deputy Director (Operations and Maintenance) of the Fire Service, Md. Mamunur Rashid, delivered a welcome speech.

Then, the chief guest delivered the speech of Lt. Col. Md. Mahmudul Hasan. In his speech, the chief guest instructed all the zone commanders and district officers of the Fire Service of Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Munshiganj and Narsingdi districts to increase coordination and communication with stakeholders in the event of a major earthquake. He gave his opinion on planning and organizing training for conducting firefighting and rescue activities. Then an open discussion began. Owners and representatives of government and private organizations present participated in the discussion and gave their opinions. The speakers thanked the Dhaka Division of the Fire Service for organizing such an event. Everyone expressed their commitment to cooperate in the rescue operation in the national disaster from their respective positions.

Md. Afzal Hossain, President of Heavy Equipment Association Bangladesh, said that they will work jointly in the rescue operation of the Fire Service. He proposed the formation of an 'Emergency Equipment Support Team'. In addition, representatives of various organizations including the Public Works Department, Dhaka North City Corporation, Narayanganj and Gazipur City Corporations, Roads and Highways, NDE, Abul Momen Group, Max Group, Bashundhara Group, Akij Ispat, Maxim Group, and owners and representatives of various contractor organizations delivered speeches. About 70 owners and representatives participated in the program.

At the last function, the President, Deputy Director of Dhaka Division, Md. Saleh Uddin, delivered the closing speech. He displayed pictures of the Rana Plaza building collapse, the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Myanmar through a power point presentation and called on everyone to work together shoulder to shoulder. He directed to form an 'Emergency Equipment Support Team' with heavy equipment owners and businessmen, increase coordination and communication, and organize training and exercises.

Also present at the function were Fire Service Dhaka Assistant Director Kazi Najmuzzaman, PFM; Assistant Director (Operations) AKM Shamsuzzoha, Zone Chiefs and District Officers of Fire Service Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Munshiganj and Narsingdi districts.