Growing number of arson attacks, caused by the ongoing political unrest, has put the Fire Service Directorate under immense pressure, officials said.
The Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate (FSCD) has already enhanced its vigilance across the country with deployment of its existing limited resources and manpower.
The FSCD, having 7,000 plus manpower, has cancelled leaves of its officials and employees to keep their fire-responsive activities functioning at their best.
Officials of the directorate, which was established in 1982 under the Ministry of Home Affairs as a key service-providing agency, said they are doing their duties round the clock amid mounting pressure on them leaving no enough time to relax.
Talking about the issue, Director General of the FSCD Brigadier General Ali Ahmed Khan said the department has long been working to handle fire and other tragic incidents like building collapse, road and railway accidents with limited manpower and other resources.
"But ongoing arson attacks on vehicles in Dhaka city and elsewhere in the country have posed an extra burden for us as we're facing difficulties to handle the tasks," he said.
He said they have also positioned several units of firefighters at five strategic points (Jatrabari, Purana Paltan Intersection, Abdul Gani Road, Gulshan-2 and Tejgaon) to ensure immediate response in case of arson attacks in the city. "We don't have any reserve force like police although the service demand is increasing significantly. We're putting in our best efforts to manage things with the existing manpower," he added.
The DG also suggested the citizens for keeping wet towel with them to protect their face and trachea from fire incidents.
Official data showed that the FSCD has a total of 7,000 plus manpower in a country of 160 million population and they are working in 285 fire stations all over Bangladesh.
According to the FSCD, a total of 366 vehicles were torched in 22 days since January 4 across the country and the directorate saved public and private property worth Tk 100 million during the period.
Deputy Director of the FSCD ABM Nurul Haque said a total of 391 people, including firefighters, drivers and chefs, are working at 11 land and river stations in the metropolis.
Of them, around 50 men on an average are assigned a day to do regular duties for VVIPs, secretariat, parliament, big events like Dhaka International Trade Fair, Ekushey Book Fair and other sporting events, he said. "So, it's not an easy task to ensure smooth service at all," he said.
The fire department has already sent a proposal to the ministry concerned for revising upward their budget for 2014-2015 fiscal year (FY).
Seeking anonymity, a senior fire official said they have been expecting that the budget allocation for the FY'15 would be revised to around Tk 2.58 billion from the existing Tk 2.02 billion. He said they do not get any incentive in any form like other forces for their tough jobs.
They have also sought special attention of the government to the department to overcome problems like shortage of modern equipment and manpower, insufficient Annual Development Programme allocation, inadequate access to technology, absence of well-equipped rescue unit and full-fledged training academy.
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