He made the remarks on Saturday (October 11) during a panel discussion at a policy conclave titled “LPG in Bangladesh: Economy, Environment and Security,” organized by the daily Banik Barta at the Grand Ballroom of the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.
Brig. Gen. Zahed Kamal said the total number of gas-related fire incidents across the country this year stands at around 1,500 to 1,600. “Through our rescue operations, we have been able to save assets worth about Tk 950 million,” he added. “However, many of our firefighters were injured during these operations. Recently, three of our colleagues lost their lives in a chemical accident, which has reinforced the need for greater caution.”
He highlighted the growing importance of the LPG sector in the country. “As LPG usage increases in the future, so will the risk of accidents. Therefore, safety awareness must begin immediately,” he said.
To raise awareness from an early age, the Fire Service has initiated the process of including fire safety lessons in school textbooks. “We have submitted a lesson plan to include fire safety education for students from class one to five, and we hope it will be included in the 2026 textbooks. Training is indispensable. Just as fire accidents have declined in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector through training and awareness, integrated training is equally necessary in the LPG sector,” he said.
The DG noted that the Fire Service currently provides training through 537 stations nationwide, which will gradually increase to 997 stations. “Traders and operators can easily receive training at these stations if they wish,” he added.
The policy conclave was attended by Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, as the chief guest. Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, Member of the BNP National Standing Committee, was the special guest, while Jalal Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), attended as the guest of honor.
The event brought together policymakers, industry representatives, and experts to discuss the economic, environmental, and safety challenges of the rapidly expanding LPG sector in Bangladesh.
