30 FSCD officers from across Barisal Division participated in the second Medical First Responder Seminar of 2020 facilitated in part by recent MFRS participants from the Bangladesh Police.
DHAKA, February 27, 2020 – From February 23-27, U.S. Embassy Dhaka conducted its second Medical First Responder Seminar (MFRS) of 2020 in Amtali, Barisal Division, Bangladesh. Thirty officers from seven Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) stations throughout Barisal Division engaged in a variety of activities during the five-day seminar including hands-on practical exercises. Additionally, all attendees received an emergency first-aid kit with medical supplies sourced from Bangladeshi companies. These seminars strengthen the capacity of FSCD officers, who serve as first responders during medical emergency and natural disaster situations and highlight the U.S. government’s commitment to Bangladesh’s national security and the important security relationship between the United States and Bangladesh.
Two of the three instructors for this seminar participated in a similar MFRS for Bangladesh Police in January. They helped conduct this week’s seminar as part of a “train the trainer” initiative aimed at increasing Bangladesh security services’ capacity to train and equip their own personnel. One such participant-cum-trainer applied his new skills shortly after completing the January seminar when he responded to what he assessed to be a grease or gas fire and correctly smothered the fire using nearby sand.
In addition to strengthening the capacity of security services to respond to medical emergencies and natural disasters, the Embassy’s Medical First Responder Seminars provide a unique opportunity for training integration by facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices between Bangladeshi security and civil service branches. This week’s seminar provided an opportunity for FSCD and Bangladesh police to train together and learn from each other. Future MFRS seminars will further expand this opportunity to other law enforcement and security service-related agencies throughout Bangladesh.
The Medical First Responder Seminar (MFRS) is one of the many initiatives of the U.S. government to promote greater cooperation, dialogue, and mutual understanding between Bangladesh and the United States, encouraging a strong partnership and helping to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
