In preparation for Cyclone Remal, 500 shelters and 290 medical teams have been kept prepared in Chattogram, said the District Disaster Management Committee. The decision to keep those shelters and teams prepared was made at an emergency meeting of the committee held last night. Furthermore, the Fire Service and Civil Defense has canceled the leave of all officials and employees from nine stations, mobilizing 270 personnel for immediate response. A special control room has also been formed at Agrabad Fire Service Station in the port city. Rakib Hasan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Chattogram district administration, informed that around 500 shelters were being prepared, 290 medical teams were formed, and all executive officers and local union chairpersons and members in the coastal areas of Chattogram were on high alert. Read more: Cyclone Remal moves northwards over Bay According to the Civil Surgeon’s Office, a medical team has been assigned to each union, five teams to each upazila health complex, and five teams are on standby at Chattogram General Hospital. Dr. Md. Elias Chowdhury, district Civil Surgeon, said that 200 teams at the union level, 75 teams across 15 upazila health complexes, nine teams at urban dispensaries, one team for school health, and five teams at the general hospital were formed to face the impact of the cyclonic storm. Moreover, all doctors, officers, and employees under the Civil Surgeon’s Office have been instructed to remain at their posts while an emergency control room has also been opened, he said. Dinmoni Sharma, Deputy Director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defense, informed that the fire service has started operations in various coastal areas. Read more: Cyclone Remal: Biman suspends all Cox's Bazar bound flights Sunday Announcements are being made through loudspeakers urging residents to move to safe locations before the storm hits. Operations in the city will commence based on weather conditions, he said, adding that 270 fire personnel across nine stations are prepared, with all leaves canceled. The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm Saturday night, with the name 'Remal.' The cyclone is predicted to make landfall today, affecting the coasts of Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal. The Meteorological Department reported that the depression has been moving north and northeast at 15 kilometers per hour over the past six hours. Gaining strength over the sea before hitting the coast between Khepupara, Bangladesh, and Sagar Island, West Bengal, it will hit with speeds of 110 to 120 kilometers per hour, with wind gusts reaching up to 135 kilometers per hour. Read more: Cyclone Preparedness: Safety measures to follow before, during and after disaster

Bangladesh isn’t new to fire accidents. In the last several years, the country has seen some devastating fire accidents that claimed the lives of hundreds and destroyed millions in property. The recent fire in Dhaka’s busy Bailey Road which claimed the lives of 46 individuals only resonates with the helplessness and despondency left behind by the tragedy. Every fire incident brings forth the question of fire safety audit or lack thereof. Because a tangible and thorough audit could’ve saved the 46 precious human lives and the many more we’ve lost thus far.  What is a Fire Safety Audit?  A fire safety audit is the systematic process of examining the compliance and preparedness of a building in the wake of a fire accident. The primary purpose of such audits is to identify potential hazards, evaluate the effectiveness of existing safety measures, and ensure that the building is equipped to handle emergencies, particularly fires.  These audits are typically conducted by qualified professionals, such as fire safety engineers or specialists, and may involve collaboration with local fire departments or regulatory authorities. In the case of Bangladesh, the primary regulatory body includes RAJUK (for Dhaka city), city corporations, and the Fire Service and Civil Defense department. Read more: Fire Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe A fire safety audit considers the following points of action:  - Existing fire protection system - Construction and design of the building - Emergency evacuation channels - Electrical and mechanical compliance - Documentation - Compliance with building codes - Risk assessment - Overall security measures  Why Fire Safety Audit is Essential for Commercial Buildings Safety of the Occupants  The first and foremost reason for a fire and life safety audit is the safety of the occupants. A comprehensive audit helps to understand whether there is any structural flaw that might potentially be life-threatening for the occupants. It also helps to assess the preparedness of the occupants in case of an emergency and even educate them about the same.  Read more: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention Compliance with the Building Code  Fire safety audits can help to assess whether the building has been constructed in line with the proper building code. Compliance with the building code goes beyond the scope of just a legal requirement. It ensures that the building and its occupants have safety measures in place should there be any hazardous accidents.  One of the common building codes concerning fire safety is the construction of a fire exit and a second staircase. According to the city corporation, any building over five stories should have a second staircase. RAJUK puts the limit up to the tenth floor. The Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting Act of Bangladesh regulates that any building over six stories should have an emergency fire exit. 

A fire broke out at a restaurant in the city’s Jatrabari area early today (September 11, 2022). The fire broke out at ‘Urbane restaurant’ in north Jatrabari around 6am, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of (Media cell) of fire service and civil defence headquarters. Read: Kushtia filling station fire: Death toll rises to 5 On information, ten firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control at 8am. The origin of the fire and the extent of damages could not be known immediately, said Anwarul. Read: Two shops gutted in Dhaka market fire

Fire service and civil defense directorate has published a direct job circular for several posts under the revenue sector. A total of 735 employees will be appointed in 7 types of posts in this institution. Interested candidates have to apply by filling the form online. Details of Fire service and civil defense recruitment Fire Fighter (Male) A maximum of 550 people will be recruited for the post of Fire Fighter (Male). SSC or equivalent pass with at least second class or equivalent GPA. Height should be minimum 5 feet 6 inches and chest size should be minimum 32 inches. Must be unmarried and have flawless physique. Pay Scale TK.9,000-21,800 (Grade-17). Driver 150 people will be appointed as drivers. Interested candidates must be single. 8th class/JSC pass can apply. Height must be minimum 5 feet 4 inches, chest size 32 inches and weight minimum 110 pounds. Flawless physique. Must have valid license and experience in driving heavy vehicles. Pay Scale TK..9,700-23,490 (Grade-15). Read: UGC Job Circular: UGC will recruit multiple officers, application fee 800-1000 Master Driver (Marine) Vacancies 3 There are 3 vacancies for the post of If you have a certificate in the relevant subject from a recognized institution, you can apply. Pay Scale TK.9, 700-23,490 (Grade-15).  4 people will be appointed for the post of Engine Driver (Marine). Applicants must have a certificate in the relevant subject from a recognized institution. Pay Scale TK.9, 700-23,490 (Grade-15). Speedboat Driver (Vacancies 4) If you have a certificate in the relevant subject from a recognized institution, you can apply. Pay Scale TK.9,700-23,490 (Grade-15). 7 people will be appointed as diver (male). Minimum qualification for application is SSC pass. In terms of physical qualification, height should be at least 5 feet 6 inches and chest size should be 32 inches. Pay scale TK.9,000-21,800. 7 Vacancies for Nursing Attendant (Male) Minimum qualification for application is SSC pass. In terms of physical qualification, height should be at least 5 feet 6 inches and chest size should be 32 inches. Pay scale TK.9,000-21,800. Read How to ace a Job Interview? How to apply Fire Service and Civil Defense Interested candidates should apply by filling the form on this website (http://fscd.teletalk.com.bd/home.php). Detailed information regarding application procedure, fee submission and recruitment can be known from the website of Directorate of Fire Service and Civil Defense. For any information and technical support contact Teletalk customer care or call 121 from Teletalk mobile phone. Application fee for Fire Service and Civil Defense Within 72 hours of filling the form online, for the post of Driver, Master Driver (Marine), Engine Driver (Marine) and Speedboat Driver, Tk 100, Teletalk service charge of Tk 12, total Tk 112 should be submitted via SMS from Teletalk prepaid mobile number. Apart from this, for the rest of the positions, a total of Tk 56 should be deposited including Tk 50, teletalk service charge Tk 6. Application Deadline Last date to apply for the post of Diver and Nursing Attendant is 25th September. Apart from this, the application deadline for the remaining posts is September 21. Read Best Job Searching Websites in Bangladesh

A fire that broke out in a factory at Meghna Industrial area in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj Monday morning has been brought under control. The fire broke out in the three-storey building of Meghna Foil Printing and Packaging factory around 7:40 am, said Md Shahjahan Shikdar, Deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defense. Read: 12 shops gutted in Faridpur market fire On information, 14 units of fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control around 11:20am, said Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Brigadier General Md Main Uddin. One person was rescued from the factory with minor injuries, he added. The origin of the fire is yet to be known, he said.

Members of the Fire Service and Civil Defense have recovered the body of a schoolboy two days after he had gone  in the Fuljor River in Sirajganj. The deceased was identified as Shuvo, 14,  a class X student of a local high school and son of Sukumar Chandra of Chandaikona union of Raiganj upazila. Read:HSTU student’s hanging body recovered Ataur Rahman, station officer of Sirajganj Fire Service and Civil Defense, said Shuvo and some of his friends went to the river for bathing  after Holi festival on Friday afternoon and at one stage Shuvo drowned. Fire service members and divers from Rajshahi could not trace the body even after searching for two days but the locals spotted his body on Sunday morning, he said. Read:Youth’s body recovered in Benapole Raiganj Police officer-in-charge (OC) Mohammad Shahidul Islam police recovered the body and handed it over to his family.

A four-member committee was formed on Wednesday to investigate the fire that killed five workers at a plastic factory at Santahar in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura district. The committee, headed by Additional District Magistrate Salahuddin, has been asked to submit its report within seven working days. Read: Five burned to death in Bogura factory fire The other members of the committee are—Adamdighi Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the representatives of the Department of Inspection for Factories and the Directorate of Fire Service and Civil Defense. Also on Wednesday the charred bodies of five workers, recovered from the factory, were handed over to the family members. Read:Fire spreads panic in CCU patients at Barishal hospital; 1 dies of heart attack The fire occurred on Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Siam, 13, Shahjahan, 24, Bijoy, 14, Belal Hossain, 43 and Abdul Khalek, 35 of the upazila.

Four members of a family sustained burn injuries in a fire triggered by a cooking gas cylinder blast in their house in the Char Muktarpur area of Munshiganj's Sadar upazila on Thursday. The victims have been identified as Kawsar, 42, his wife Shanta, 38, and their children -- Yeasin, 6, and Fatema, 3. They lived on the first floor of a two-storey house. Read: Jatrabari gas cylinder blast: Another victim dies, death toll now five Dewan Azad Hossain, duty officer of Dhaka Fire Service and Civil Defense control room, said the fire broke out at the first floor of the building following the cylinder blast around 4.30 am, leaving all the four members of the family injured. On information, a fire tender rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze. The injured were immediately rushed to Munshiganj General Hospital from where they were shifted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.

A fire broke out  at the One-Time Glass Factory in Della village in Keraniganj on Friday evening. Md Raihan, Station Officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters, said the fire broke out in the factory in Della village around 7:07pm. Read:7 burnt as fire breaks out in Narayanganj cotton factory Being informed, five units of the Fire Service rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control after an hour. However, the source of the fire could not be known immediately. No casualties were reported.

A fire broke out at the old building of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce at Agrabad in the city on Thursday evening.  The fire broke out around 8:30 pm from an electric short circuit and spread throughout the six-storied building within a few minutes, said Faruq Sikder, assistant director of the Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defense.  Read: Bangladesh’s fire problem: 285,000 incidents occurred in 2 decades Until writing this report 7 units of the Agrabad and Bandar fire service stations were trying to douse the fire with the help of locals.  Around 9:30 pm the flames were brought somewhat under control, said the fire service official.  So far, no casualties were reported and the amount of damage could not be ascertained immediately, said Faruq Hossain.