Dhaka:The Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence will maintain a 24-hour alert to ensure fire safety at all Puja mandaps throughout the country during the Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, 538 operational fire stations across the nation are prepared to respond to emergencies and support safety measures during the festival. Brigadier General Sultanul Afrain Zunaid, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD), announced this at a press conference held at the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters on Kazi Alauddin Road in Dhaka.
Fire stations will remain on standby throughout the Puja celebrations, monitoring fire safety at mandaps and maintaining continuous coordination with local administrations and Puja celebration committees. Fire Service personnel will identify potential fire hazards during inspections and advise organizers on necessary preventive measures. Contact numbers of nearby fire stations and the 102 emergency hotline will be publicized to ensure prompt assistance when needed.
Temporary fire stations will be on high alert at various locations, and officials at the divisional, district, and zonal levels will also be on standby. The central control room and all divisional control rooms will operate around the clock to ensure a rapid response to emergencies, dispatching nearby fire stations when necessary.
The Fire Service will deploy personnel and volunteers at idol immersion sites equipped with road rescue equipment and ambulances. Lighting units will be set up at night where necessary. The department's headquarters, divisional offices, and district offices will maintain constant communication with the fire stations under their respective jurisdictions.
"Awareness is protection. Therefore, alongside fulfilling our responsibilities, we seek everyone's sincere cooperation in raising awareness about fire safety," the Director General stated. The press conference was attended by representatives of print, electronic, and online media, along with senior Fire Service officials and other personnel.