The Medical First Responder Seminar (MFRS) is one of the many initiatives of the US government to promote greater cooperation, dialogue, and mutual understanding between Bangladesh and the United States, encouraging a strong partnership and helping to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Thirty officers from seven Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) stations throughout Barisal Division engaged in a variety of activities during the five-day seminar including hands-on practical exercises. 

Additionally, all attendees received an emergency first-aid kit with medical supplies sourced from Bangladeshi companies.

Such seminars, conducted by the US Embassy in Dhaka from February 23, strengthen the capacity of FSCD officers, who serve as first responders during medical emergency and natural disaster situations and highlight the US government’s commitment to Bangladesh’s national security and the important security relationship between the United States and Bangladesh, said the Embassy in a press release.

Two of the three instructors for the seminar participated in a similar MFRS for Bangladesh Police in January. 

They helped conduct the seminar as part of a “train the trainer” initiative aimed at increasing Bangladesh security services’ capacity to train and equip their own personnel. 

One such participant-cum-trainer applied his new skills shortly after completing the January seminar when he responded to what he assessed to be a grease or gas fire and correctly smothered the fire using nearby sand. 

The seminar provided an opportunity for FSCD and Bangladesh police to train together and learn from each other, said the US Embassy. 

Future MFRS seminars will further expand this opportunity to other law enforcement and security service-related agencies throughout Bangladesh, it said.