Photo: FSCD Facebook

DHAKA, Dec 4, 2025 (BSS) - The Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) held a seminar of its 'Permanent Expert Panel' today, bringing together top engineers, architects, disaster experts, academics and media representatives to discuss earthquake and fire preparedness.

Inaugurating the event, FSCD Director General (DG) Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal led discussions on the fire service's current capacity and measures taken to strengthen earthquake response.

Experts highlighted shortages in fire stations and manpower compared to other Asian and developed countries, recommending capacity expansion based on risk areas, installing fire brigade connections at all WASA pump stations, and ensuring all fire stations are earthquake-resistant. 

They also suggested using lower floors of government buildings as fire stations where land is scarce.

Additional recommendations included increasing volunteers, regular refresher courses, multi-agency mock exercises, establishing a fire academy, stronger media involvement, disaster awareness in educational institutions, relocation of chemical warehouses from residential areas and continued nationwide drills.

Senior academics, former fire service chiefs, engineers and media representatives joined the discussions, while divisional and district fire officials participated online. 

The seminar concluded with a consensus that the expert panel will play a vital role in research, consultation and policy formulation for nationwide public safety.

Director (Operations and Maintenance) Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury presented the keynote paper at the event.