The Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) held an “Earthquake and Fire Safety Exercise” on the premises of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, March 9, 2026 (BSS) – The Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) held an “Earthquake and Fire Safety Exercise” on the premises of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in the city today. 
 
The exercise was held 11:00am in the morning marking the observance of National Disaster Preparedness Day, according to a press release of the FSCD.

This year’s theme of the Day is: “We will fight in disaster preparedness, build a Bangladesh of youth.”

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, MP, was present at the programme as the chief guest while Dhaka-12 constituency lawmaker Saiful Alam Khan Milon was present. 

The post-earthquake disaster management drill, including search, firefighting and rescue operations, was conducted by the Fire Service and Civil Defence. 

Demonstrations included firefighting in multi-storey buildings using high ladder vehicles, rescuing trapped individuals, rope sliding, rope rappelling, rope descending, and jumping on air safety packs. 

Rescue teams also demonstrated how to locate victims in collapsed structures, create entry points to rescue trapped people, provide first aid, and transport seriously injured victims to hospitals.

The exercise was conducted by Zone Commander Tanharul Islam under the supervision of Md. Saleh Uddin, Deputy Director of the Dhaka Division of Fire Service. 

He was assisted by Zone Commander Faisalur Rahman and others. A large number of volunteers also took part in the drill.

For the first time, the Fire Service’s Communication Volunteer Unit established mobile communication during the exercise and experimentally connected with different parts of the country, including Nepal.

The program was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Latif while AKM Shamsuzzoha, Assistant Director (Operations) of the Fire Service Department was present.

At the end of the exercise, speeches were delivered by Dr. Kabir Md. Ashraf Alam, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal, Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department, Rezwanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management, and Md. Saidur Rahman Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

In his speech, the chief guest said that under the directive of the Prime Minister, initiatives are underway to create one lakh volunteers across the country. 

He added that similar safety exercises would gradually be introduced in other educational institutions to strengthen fire safety awareness nationwide.

Expressing satisfaction over the well-organized and lively drill, the minister thanked all those involved in arranging the exercise. 

The program was moderated by Md. Shahjahan Sikder, Officer-in-Charge of the Fire Service Media Cell.

It is noteworthy that National Disaster Preparedness Day is observed in the country on March 10 every year to raise awareness about disaster risk reduction. 

Various drills and public awareness activities are organized by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and the Fire Service and Civil Defence.