"I was stuck along with others on the 12th floor of the FR Tower and repeatedly shouted, seeking help through the broken window. When a firefighter came to me with ladder, I felt as if he was a saviour from Almighty God. He saved my life, as long I am alive I will keep him in my mind and prayers."
Naima Tajnim Shorna said this paying respect and gratitude to the firefighters who saved her from the FR Tower inferno. She is an employee of an organisation and was working in her office when the devastating fire broke out at FR Tower, Banani.
Like Naima, every rescued person has same emotion and respect for the rescuers who risk their lives to save others.
Every member of the force, is a human being, more than doing a job they more inclined to fulfil their responsibility, illuminating procession of good soul (Valo Manusher Alor Michil).
To pay respect and offer gratitude to the fearless heroes, Brac arranged a reception in honour of the firefighters at the auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers in the capital on Thursday.
Great heroes
They are the firefighters of the Directorate of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence. The trained personnel rush at any spot, the minute they get an emergency call at any time of day. In recent times, the nation, time and again has watched them walk, climb, crawl, creep, whichever way possible, to reach people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings or in raging flames and rescue them. Risking their own lives, our firemen saved lives. The truth in which their families and children live every day is that they can lose their loved ones any time. Fire-fighters live the brave truth - lay your life to save others lives. Triumph of humanity is what they live for.
Speaking as a guest, DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said, we no more want to see such helpless deaths. The builders of multi-storied buildings must keep all the arrangements to tackle fire hazards. Otherwise, they will face stern punishment.
Request
Fire Service and Civil Defence director-general Brigadier General Md Sazzad Hussain said, our request to the nation will be, “Please do not crowd the scene of the hazard and let our firefighters and rescuers work without hindrance. It is the general public who have to come forward to ensure this. With your proper assistance we will be able to reduce the loss of both life and property.”
A cheque amounting Tk4 lakh was handed over from Brac to the family of Sohel Rana who died after being severely injured while engaged in the fire rescue operation at FR Tower. A donation of Tk3 lakh was also made to the Fire Service and Civil Defence Trust fund. Survivors of different fire incidents gave bouquets and certificates of honour to 10 firefighters - Sohagchandra Karmakar, Bishnupada Mistry, Zakir Hossain, Kazi Sohag, Shahidul Islam, Jewel Mahmud, Mafizul Islam, Alamgir Hossain, Nazir Hossain and Moktar Hossain.
Fire Service and Civil Defence director (Training, Planning & Development) Lieutenant Colonel S M Zulfiker Rahman and director (operation and maintenance) Major AKM Shakil Newaz were present at the program as guests.
