The Fire Service and Civil Defence on Thursday marked International Volunteer Day 2025 with a series of daylong activities at its Multipurpose Training Ground in Purachal, Narayanganj.
Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd), adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs, attended as chief guest, while Md Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser, was present as special guest. Fire Service Director General Brig Gen Muhammad Zahed Kamal, ndc, afwc, psc, along with senior officials from the Home Ministry and the Fire Service Directorate, also participated in the programme.
The day began at 8 a.m. with volunteer registration from eight divisions, followed by a colourful rally featuring volunteers and Fire Service personnel at 9 a.m. A discussion session, opened with recitations from religious texts, took place at 10 a.m.
Lt Col M A Azad Anwar, psc, director (training, planning and development), delivered the welcome remarks.
During the ceremony, the DG presented crests and certificates to 22 volunteers from across the country for their outstanding service. In his speech, Brig Gen Zahed Kamal praised the volunteers’ dedication and bravery in disaster response efforts and expressed hope that their commitment and patriotism would continue in the years ahead.
The chief guest also observed a live post-earthquake rescue drill conducted by volunteers. Addressing the gathering, Lt Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury described International Volunteer Day as “a valuable opportunity to organize volunteers, recognize their contributions, promote volunteerism, and encourage their continued efforts.” He congratulated volunteers at home and abroad, highlighted their vital role in disaster management, and called for sustained training, regular drills, and expanded public outreach to strengthen the volunteer network.
Following his remarks, the adviser spoke with journalists before joining a photo session with the honored volunteers.
More than 200 volunteers, directors, deputy directors, the principal of the training complex, and other officials of various ranks attended the event, which concluded with a cultural performance.