Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence

The Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence (FSCD) is an emergency service that operates under the Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The department's primary objective is to provide critical public safety services, including fire protection, emergency medical care, and other essential services.

Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence
Operational area
Country Bangladesh
Address38-46, Kazi Alauddin Road, Fulbaria, Dhaka 1000
Agency overview
EstablishedApril 9, 1981; 43 years ago (April 9, 1981)
Annual callsFor 2023:
  • FSCD Fire Suppression total call volume: 29,000
Employees14,443 (2023)
StaffingCareer
Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal
EMS levelBLS
Motto"Speed, Service, Sacrifice"
Facilities and equipment
Stations506
Engines593
Ladders10
Rescues35
Ambulances195
Tenders99
HAZMAT5
Fireboats7
Rescue boats38
Light and air6
Aerial Ladder Platforms12
Website
https://fireservice.gov.bd/

Organisation

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Firefighters at work in front of the Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence Headquarters building

The Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) is organized into several departments, including operations, maintenance, training, planning, development, administration, and finance. These departments work together to provide comprehensive emergency services to the public.

During times of emergency, the FSCD also receives support from civilian volunteers, who provide additional assistance to the department. As of 2022, there were approximately 50,000 civilian volunteers registered with the FSCD.

Operation

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Firefighters in action

Firefighting operations

  • Fire suppression
  • Technical rescue
  • Hazardous materials mitigation [1]
  • Airport fire and rescue
  • Seaport fire and rescue

Fire prevention

  • Inspection of buildings
  • Hazardous materials safety measures
  • Fire prevention inspection
  • Fire protection management guidance
  • Fire investigation

Emergency medical services

  • First-aid education and training
  • Emergency telephone consultation

Staffing

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The department currently has over 14,443 employees. In addition to the director general, there are three directors, nine deputy directors, twenty assistant directors, and eighty deputy assistant directors.

Station

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The department operates from 506 fire stations throughout the country.

  • 4 (Special Category Stations)
  • 92 (A category stations)
  • 295 (B category stations)
  • 4 (B category land cum river stations)
  • 100 (C category stations)
  • 11 (River fire stations)

These stations serve as crucial response points in times of fire-related emergencies and enable the department to efficiently carry out its operations.

 
Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence Headquarters

History

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A CMP Ford F15 with No. 11 cab possibly the first unit of the service

The then British government created Fire Service in 1939–40 in undivided India. During the Partition, the Calcutta Fire Service was created for the city of Calcutta at the regional level and the Bengal Fire Service for undivided Bengal. In 1947, the fire service in the region was renamed the East Pakistan Fire Service.

During World War II, the Department of Civil Defense in India was initially created with Air Raid Precautions (ARP) at an early stage and the Department of Civil Defense at a later stage in 1951 through legal process. For the purpose of work management, a Rescue Department was created under the Roads and Highways Department.

On April 9, 1981, the then Fire Service Directorate and the Civil Defense Department merged to form the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defense.[2][3][4][5] Later the Rescue Department was included in the Department of Fire Service & Civil Defence. The FSCD is currently 40 years old.

Rank structure

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  • Director General
  • Director
  • Deputy Director / Principal
  • Assistant Director / Vice Principal
  • Deputy Assistant Director / Instructor / Senior Staff officer / PO cum Adjutant
  • Senior Station Officer / Assistant Instructor / Officer in charge / Store Officer
  • Warehouse Inspector
  • Station Officer / Staff officer / Junior Instructor / Mobilizing Officer
  • Sub Officer
  • Leader
  • Firefighter / Nursing attendant / Diver
  • Driver
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Aguner Nona Jol is a Bangladeshi drama that provides a dramatized portrayal of the Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defence (FSCD) from the perspective of a fictional Senior Station Officer (SSO). The drama features renowned actors Riaz and Rumana Rashid Ishita, and was directed by Hamed Hasan Noman. Notably, members of the FSCD also served as actors and advisers for the production, providing technical expertise and guidance to ensure that the portrayal of the emergency service was accurate and authentic. Through its depiction of the SSO's experiences, Aguner Nona Jol seeks to provide insight into the challenges faced by members of the FSCD in their mission to protect public safety and respond to emergencies.

References

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  1. ^ "Could smell gas, injured Tampaco worker claims". The Daily Star. 2016-09-11. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  2. ^ "Six fire stations to be set up in Ctg city". Dhaka Tribune. 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  3. ^ "BCIC chairman: Toxic gas leak in Ctg merely an accident". Dhaka Tribune. 2016-08-24. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  4. ^ "Industries ministry forms probe body over Tongi fire". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 2016-09-12. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  5. ^ "China to provide Bangladesh 1000 firefighting motorcycles". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2016-09-17.