The mock drill was arranged jointly by Save the Children in Bangladesh (SCiBD), Fire Service and Civil Defense department and Manobik Shahajyo Shongstha to increase public awareness about earthquakes and fire accidents in slums and other densely populated areas.
Around 350 local residents witnessed the demonstration and a handful of them participated in the mock drill alongside local units of fire fighters and volunteers.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman in his speech as chief guest said, "We don’t want any person to die in the earthquake or fire. Awareness is more important from the personal level besides the actions of the fire service, rescue agencies or individuals. Such a drill is very important to raise our awareness."
Fire Service and Civil Defense Deputy Director Dilip Kumar Ghosh said electrical problems alongside stove and cigarette fires account for 72 percent of fire accidents.
According to the Fire Service and Civil Defense data, there were over 85,000 fire incidents in the country over a 10-year period from 2009 to 2018. Some 16,156 individuals lost their lives in those fires.
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Md Shah Kamal and SCiBD Program Development and Quality Director Reefat bin Sattar also spoke at the programme.