Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Fire Academy will be established in Gazaria of Munshiganj district to ensure modern training facilities for the fire service men, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday.
"Already the acquisition work of 100.92 acres of land in Gazaria is at the final stage and 1000 members of fire services will get training at the academy at a time," he said while talking at a programme on the occasion of Fire Service and Civil Defense Week held at Mirpur Fire Service Training complex in the city.
The government has sent 1,169 members of the fire service abroad for training purposes and once the new academy is opened we will be able to provide training to the members of fire service here, said Asaduzzaman.
Currently, the Fire Service and Civil Defense has the capability to conduct rescue operations in 20-storey buildings and the government is trying to strengthen the capability of fire service like those in developed countries, he added.
Besides, the number of ambulances has been increased to 190 from the existing 63 and steps will be taken to provide ambulances to all fire service stations, said the Minister.
The government also procured some equipment for extinguishing the fire and conducting rescue operations like remote control firefighting units and drones which are used in developed countries, according to a UNB report.
Alongside increasing the capability of the organisation, the government is working to ensure all facilities for the staff and employees of the organisation.
There are some 456 fire service stations across the country and some 109 more will be built within the next fiscal year, said Asaduzzaman.
Besides, the construction work of 11 modern fire stations in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chattogram industrial area and Rooppur Power Plant area is underway.
Talking about the manpower of the fire service, the Minister said currently 13,400 members are working and a project has been taken to increase its manpower to 25,000.