CAAB shows method of saving passengers from fire incident

Staff Correspondent: A drill was held at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on how quickly control and evacuate passengers safely if an aircraft catches fire. The exercise was held recently as part of the exercise that is instructed to be conducted every two years under the guidance of the International Civil Aviation Authority.
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mofidur Rahman witnessed the exercise as Chief Guest, Air Commodore AFM Atikuzzaman, Member (Management and Planning) was present as special guest.
The exercise showed that a plane with 50 passengers landed at Shahjalal International Airport when the right side engine caught fire and the process of extinguishing the fire and rescuing the passengers unharmed began.
And members of various organizations including Civil Aviation’s own Fire Team, Fire Service Civil Defense Team, Air Force Team and Airport Armed Police Team joined in the rescue operation. Arriving at the runway with speed, the work of extinguishing the fire started. On the one hand, bringing the fire under control and on the other hand getting the passengers out unharmed, the action started. In addition to controlling the fire, the injured passengers were taken out of the plane and sent to the hospital by ambulance. Besides, the Air Force’s special helicopter also joined to send seriously injured passengers to the hospital for treatment.
Shahjalal International Airport Executive Director Group Captain Kamrul Islam coordinated this entire event.
Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mofidur Rahman said in the speech of the chief guest on the occasion that the purpose of the exercise is to test the activities of the concerned organizations in dealing with emergency situations. Acquiring expertise in dealing with emergency situations in aviation at national level including testing various equipment including fire fighting vehicles.
He said, according to the obligation of ICA, we conduct such exercises every two years. As a result of such exercises, our capabilities are also communicated internationally.
He further said that we have a reputation around the world for dealing with disaster situations. The way we deal with it during natural calamities, garners a lot of praise internationally. The current government is taking various steps to give importance to the civil aviation sector. As we have gained trust, various advanced plans are underway and the government is also eyeing the issue of setting up a new airport.
At the end, he said, we have never had such an accident here. Still, we are careful to do our best to deal with any disaster as soon as possible.