The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Search and Rescue (SAR) and Rescue and Fire Fighting (RFF) to further strengthen aviation safety management in Bangladesh.
The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between the two institutions and ensure swift, coordinated and effective rescue and firefighting operations in the event of possible accidents, fires or emergency situations at airports and adjacent areas across the country, reads a press release.
The signing ceremony was held at 10:30am on Thursday at the chairman’s conference room on Level-6 of the CAAB headquarters in Kurmitola in the capital.
CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq, and FSCD Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal were present as chief guests at the event.
On behalf of their respective organisations, CAAB Director Md Shamsul Haque and FSCD Deputy Director (Operation and Maintenance) Md Mamunur Rashid signed the MoU.
Members of CAAB, representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Ministry of Home Affairs, officials of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, as well as journalists from electronic and print media were also present.
The MoU aims to ensure mutual cooperation in conducting search, rescue and firefighting operations quickly and in a coordinated manner in case of fire, accidents or other emergencies at airports and surrounding areas, in accordance with the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Under the agreement, the two institutions will work to strengthen aviation safety through rapid emergency support, joint training programmes, information exchange and necessary technical assistance.
The initiative is expected to enhance the capacity to respond to potential accidents, conduct rescue operations and strengthen firefighting capabilities at airports.
Officials also expressed hope that the MoU will contribute to improving aviation safety management in line with international standards and have a positive impact on upcoming international audits.
Speakers at the programme said coordinated cooperation among different agencies is essential to ensure safety and emergency services in the civil aviation sector.
They noted that the MoU would further strengthen collaboration between the two institutions and enhance the country’s capacity to deal with emergencies at airports.
