Every year, the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence trains a substantial number of individuals to serve as first responders in the event of fire incidents. However, despite efforts to equip citizens with basic firefighting skills, there remains a gap between trained volunteers and their active participation during emergencies.
In the fiscal year 2022-2023, the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence provided fundamental training to 158,926 civilians. Regrettably, a significant portion of these volunteers fails to respond promptly to fire incidents. For instance, in the Savar Zone, although 720 individuals are listed as volunteers, only around 200 actively engage in firefighting efforts.
Similarly, at the Mohammadpur Fire Station, while 700 volunteers are enlisted, only 70 are consistently active, with a smaller subset regularly participating in firefighting activities.
Senior Station Officer Mohammad Nurul Islam of the Savar Fire Station said despite receiving training, many volunteers exhibit reluctance to respond due to a lack of financial incentives, especially among student volunteers who require funds for transportation.
Additionally, he continued, some trained volunteers secure employment or pursue business ventures, which reduces their availability during emergencies.
However, he said, there are instances where individuals voluntarily step forward to assist during fire outbreaks, often bearing their own expenses.
Brigadier General Main Uddin, the Director General of Fire Services and Civil Defence, acknowledged discrepancies between the number of trained volunteers in their database and those actively involved in firefighting efforts.
He emphasised the need for sustained efforts to engage volunteers effectively, citing recent major fire incidents where volunteers played crucial roles.
Former Director General Ali Ahmed Khan highlighted the need for a more organised approach to volunteer management, stressing the importance of ongoing training and support to retain volunteers.
He pointed to the disparity between local and foreign volunteer practices and urged the government to allocate resources for structured training programmes at various fire stations.
Ali Ahmed Khan proposed establishing dedicated volunteer facilities at fire stations to foster a sense of community and commitment among volunteers.
He underscored the importance of a coordinated approach to volunteer recruitment and training, emphasising the vital role they play as the first line of defense in fire emergencies.
