The firefighters have enhanced the reputation of Bangladesh in the international arena by conducting rescue operations efficiently in Turkey's earthquake, Fire Service and Civil Defence Director General (DG) Brigadier Gen Md Main Uddin said.
He also expressed his sincere gratitude and thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving this rare opportunity to help earthquake victims.
Brigadier Gen Md Main Uddin made the remarks at a press conference on Wednesday organized to welcome the fire service team that participated in the rescue operations in quake-hit Turkey.
International help was sought by the Turkish government due to the terrible earthquake that occurred in Turkey on February 6, the director general of the department said. This rescue team of 12 members of the fire service and civil defence was sent to Turkey in the light of the prime minister's instructions.
Those who went to Turkey as rescue team members from the Fire Service and Civil Defense are internationally trained in conducting search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings according to the standards of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).
CourtesyThe rescue team members of the Fire Service teamed up with the combined rescue workers of Bangladesh to conduct search and rescue operations first in Turkey's Adiaman city and later in Hatai province.
At this time they recovered one young woman alive and 23 dead bodies.
The Turkish government is very satisfied with the activities of the joint rescue team of Bangladesh. The rescue time for the Bangladeshi members of the rescue team was extended at their request.
Brigadier General Md Main Uddin said: “Apart from sending the rescue team, we have sent warm clothes to the earthquake victims in Turkey. Ms Ayesha, deputy charge of the Affairs of Turkey Embassy in Bangladesh received the warm clothes”.
At the beginning of the press conference, the video footage of the rescuers of Bangladesh was shown. The video shows the views of different people about the rescue operation in Bangladesh. In those comments, the gratitude and appreciation of people from all walks of life in Turkey for the rescue team of Bangladesh came out.
According to the director general of Fire Service, it is a significant achievement for Bangladesh in the international arena.
Director General (DG) Brigadier General of Fire Service and Civil Defense Mine Uddin said that the City Corporation and Fire Service will launch a joint campaign against the buildings that do not comply with the fire safety law in the capital.
“We will go on a joint campaign with the City Corporation. We will investigate at the buildings where fire safety laws are followed or not. And the other issues will be monitored by the designated department” he further added.