International Volunteer Day- 2025 was celebrated with due dignity by the Fire Service and Civil Defense. The program was held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Fire Service and Civil Defense Multipurpose Training Ground in Purbachal, Narayanganj, with various day-long events. The chief guest of the program was the Honorable Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.). The special guest was the Special Assistant to the Honorable Chief Advisor, Mr. Md. Khoda Baksh Chowdhury. Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal, NDC, AFWC, PSC, Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Fire Service Department were present at the program.

The day’s activities began at 8 am with the registration of volunteers from 8 departments. At 9 am, a colorful procession was held with the participation of volunteers and fire service members. At 10 am, the discussion session began with readings from religious scriptures. The welcome speech was delivered by the Director (Training, Planning and Development) of the Directorate, Lt. Col. MA Azad Anwar, PSC. Then, Director General Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal, NDC, AFWC, PSC presented crests and certificates to 22 volunteers selected from all over the country in recognition of their work. In his speech, he praised the volunteers for their tireless and courageous contribution in disaster management. He expressed hope that the volunteers’ patriotism, sincerity and fearless participation in all disasters in the country will continue. The chief guest of the event, Honorable Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lft. General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.), enjoyed a real-life exercise of post – earthquake rescue operations with the participation of volunteers. Then, in his speech, the chief guest said to the assembled volunteers, ‘ International Volunteer Day is a golden opportunity to organize volunteers, recognize their contributions, promote volunteer work, and support and encourage the efforts of volunteers. I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the volunteers of all countries of the world, including our country, on this day. Highlighting the importance of the role of volunteers in disaster management and urging them to work with skill and sincerity in the future, he said, ” I hope that in addition to volunteer training, efforts will continue to be made to encourage them to volunteer and sharpen the knowledge gained through regular events such as organizing such events, celebrating various days, participating in exercises and mass communication activities, etc. He spoke to the journalists of the assembled media and answered their various questions. After that, he participated in a photo session with 22 honoured volunteers. In addition to more than two hundred volunteers, the Director, Deputy Director, Principal of the Training Complex and other officials and employees of various levels of the Fire Service and Civil Defence were present at the event. Finally, a delightful cultural program was held.