Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal came up with the information on Thursday while virtually inaugurating the "Fire Service and Civil Defense Week-2020".

“We’re working to enhance the capacity of the fire service as its importance is increasing every day. After the formation of the government in 2009, the Prime Minister announced in the first session of then then parliament to set up at least a fire station in all upazilas of the country. There were only 204 fire stations all over the country at that time,” he said.

The minister said, “There're now 436 fire stations across the country as our government has so far opened 232 fire stations while 129 more new fire stations will be set up by 2021.”

He said the government has already approved a project for constructing 11 modern model fire stations in the industrial areas of Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Chattogram and Rooppur nuclear power plant area in Pabna.

Besides, Asaduzzaman said, three projects have been taken up as per the desire of the Prime Minister to set up 155 fire stations in the gaps across the country.

Once all these projects and plans are implemented, he said the total number of fire stations in the country will stand at 720.

Alongside raising the number of fire stations, the minister said the government is also working to increase the manpower of the fire service. “The total manpower in the fire service and civil defence was only 6,175 in 2009 which is now increased to 13,100.”

Besides, he said, the government is working on reforming the organogram of BFSCD to raise its manpower to over 25,000.

Asaduzzaman said 1,169 members of the BFSCD have so far received advanced training abroad to enhance their professional skills.

He said the government has taken an initiative to establish a world-class academy, ‘Bangabandhu Fire Academy, for imparting the fire service members advanced training.

The minister hoped that the Fire Service and Civil Defence Week will help enhance the professionalism of members of the organisation and improve their engagement with people.

He also wished all-out success of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Week-2020 that began today (Thursday) and will continue until November 21 amid various programmes.