The Bangladeshi Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) has set as its goal to be among the leading fire-fighting and disaster management organizations in Asia by 2021. The organization is currently updating its strategic management plan, and in order to learn from other countries’ experiences, made a study visit to the Philippines and Thailand at the end of October 2013.

“The FSCD works as a first responder agency for all types of disasters in Bangladesh, and therefore they had the incentive to increase their knowledge on the best practices used in other countries in the region in managing emergencies and disasters”, says Director Sajedul Hasan from Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) hosting the study visit.

During the 7-day visit, the FSCD senior officials visited several organizations working in the field of disaster risk reduction and response including Fire National Training Institute (FNTI), Makati City Hall, Makati Fire and Rescue Station, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Office of the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) of the Philippines, Pasig City Control, Command and Communication (C3) Center, and Pasig City Search & Rescue and Training Center.

The FSCD delegate also had the chance to witness the Philippine Government’s annual national awarding ceremony of the “Gawad Kalasag” winners for best practices in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). The awards are given to individuals and non-governmental, governmental and private sector organizations in recognition of their initiatives in helping the Filipino government to uplift the standard of disaster management in the country.

Learning about first-hand disaster response

The study visit coincided only shortly after the Philippines had been hit by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, one of the most powerful earthquakes ever experienced by the country.

“The visit to the province of Bohol, one of the provinces severely affected by the earthquake, gave us the opportunity to learn about first-hand disaster response such as search and rescue techniques and evacuation as well as relief operations on the ground. This provided the delegation a good lesson for enhancing our own earthquake response system in Bangladesh,” said Mr. MD. Ataul Haque, Joint Secretary and Deputy Team Leader of FSCD Bangladesh.

In Bangkok, the delegation was welcomed for a visit by Bangkok Metropolitan Authority’s Fire and Rescue Department, National Disaster Warning Center, and National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) of the Government of Thailand.

“The sharing of knowledge and experiences with the Filipino and Thai authorities and staff will help in building the delegation’s knowledge and skills in effectively and efficiently responding to disasters in the future,” said Mr. MD. Siddique Ullah Bhuiyan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh and Team Leader of the delegation.