Staff Correspondent
Brigadier General Sultanul Afreen Junaid, SUP, took charge as the new director general of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate on Monday (October 12).
He formally assumed the responsibility from outgoing Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal, NDC, AFWC, PSC, who returned to the Bangladesh Army after serving in the post for two years and 10 days, according to a press release issued by the Fire Service Media Cell.
The day’s programme began at 9:00am with the outgoing and newly appointed directors general planting saplings at Jalsiri Fire Station in Narayanganj in the presence of departmental officials.
A farewell gathering for the outgoing director general was held at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate at 11:00am. Officials from different levels of the organisation attended the event in person, while divisional deputy directors, assistant directors and other officials and employees from different divisions and districts joined online.
An officers’ address was held at the directorate’s conference room at noon, where officials recalled their experiences working with the outgoing chief.
In his speech, Brig Gen Zahed Kamal shared memories and experiences from his tenure, expressing gratitude for the sincerity, dedication and cooperation of the organisation’s officers and employees.
He subsequently handed over charge to his successor at his office, signed the directorate’s inspection book and exchanged farewells with officials and employees before leaving the headquarters.
After taking charge, Brig Gen Sultanul Afreen Junaid addressed officials at 4:00pm, stressing the importance of properly discharging the responsibilities entrusted to the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
He emphasised protecting lives and property, ensuring fire safety, responding swiftly to accidents and disasters, and improving professional skills and coordination in rescue operations.
He also expressed his determination to improve the quality of public services through collective efforts by the organisation’s officers and employees.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued the appointment order on September 22, appointing Brig Gen Junaid as director general and directing Brig Gen Zahed Kamal to return to the Bangladesh Army.