Fire service capacity enhancement underway with new stations, ambulances: Home minister
The minister said the existing 538 fire stations were not sufficient to meet the country's growing demands in tackling fires, natural disasters, and accidents.
Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today (19 May) said the government is working to strengthen the capacity of the Fire Service and Civil Defence by increasing manpower, establishing new stations, and implementing modernisation projects across the country.
Speaking at the Passing Out Parade and Medal Award-2026 ceremony at the Purbachal Multipurpose Fire Service Station, the minister said the existing 538 fire stations were not sufficient to meet the country's growing demands in tackling fires, natural disasters, and accidents.
"The Fire Service must be modernised and updated to tackle fire extinguishing, natural disasters, and accidents in the country," he said, adding that the government had taken various steps to improve the agency's operational capacity.
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The minister said work on 20 projects is currently underway, including the establishment of a training academy for Fire Service personnel in Gajaria, Munshiganj.
He also said e-fire certificates had been introduced to ensure quicker service delivery, while awareness programmes on fire safety were being carried out across the country.
"These activities will continue," he said.
Paying tribute to Fire Service personnel who died while performing their duties, Salahuddin Ahmed said, "52 members of the Fire Service have been martyred while tackling fire accidents. We pay our respects to them."
Referring to the Fire Service slogan – "The sole pledge of fire-fighters; we shall safely protect property and life" – he said the government has plans to further modernise the service.
Narayanganj-1 lawmaker Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Monjur Morshed Chowdhury attended the programme as special guests.
Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal presided over the event.
Rupganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiful Islam, Additional Superintendent of Police Mehedi Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Rupganj Police Station AHM Salahuddin Ahmed, and senior Fire Service officials were also present.
