Fire drill at Dhaka airport

A firefighting drill was conducted at the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and in the cargo area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.  

The drill tested capabilities in fire control, the use of firefighting equipment, safe evacuation, and coordination among relevant units.

The exercise was directly observed by CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmud Siddique. Members and senior officials of CAAB were also present.

During the drill, a mock fire scenario was created, and practical exercises were carried out on how to take rapid measures in an emergency. Techniques for what to do in the initial stage of a fire, quickly bringing it under control, using firefighting equipment, and safely evacuating people were also demonstrated.

Simultaneously, the effectiveness of inter-unit communication and coordination during emergencies was evaluated.
Air Commodore Md Asif Iqbal, CAAB Member (Safety), served as the Chief Coordinator for the drill at the CAAB headquarters.

Air Commodore Md Noor-E-Alam, CAAB Member (ATM), was the Chief Coordinator for the drill held at the Shahjalal Airport cargo area.

During the inspection, the CAAB Chairman emphasised the importance of regular training and drills to ensure the safety of life, property, and critical infrastructure in emergencies.

He stated that alongside modern equipment, trained personnel and the ability to respond rapidly are crucial for the security of the airport and other vital aviation-related installations. He added that the skills of officials and employees must be further enhanced through regular training.

The CAAB Chairman further mentioned that such realistic drills not only test the effectiveness of the fire safety system but also help identify any shortcomings. Observations from the exercise will be reviewed, and safety measures and training will be further strengthened as needed.

CAAB noted that the day’s activities were entirely pre-planned and training-oriented. The primary objective of the drill was to assess the preparedness, skills, and mutual coordination of concerned personnel in handling emergencies, as well as to further strengthen CAAB’s overall fire safety system.