It seems as if there is some cosmic intervention that is coming to our aid every time there are incidents of such distressful nature. Apart from a stroke of good-luck, it was also the very brave and committed band of firefighters that worked under tremendous constraints caused by the combination of various factors, which helped to keep the number of casualties low.

Our firefighters may have been badly equipped and looked a very poor imitation of, for example, the NYFD, but they were, for all practical purposes, equal in bravery and dedication to any fire department in the world.

Seeing the way they risked their own lives to save the people trapped in the building made one feel very proud indeed. One couldn't but feel sorry for the plight of the firefighters, hamstrung not only by shortage of equipment but also lack of appropriate gears to contend with, for example, the height of the building, and the BSEC building is not the tallest one in the area.

The fire brigade and all ranks of the military that participated in the rescue operation deserve full credit for their efforts that helped in keeping the number of casualties low. In spite of lack of adequate and appropriate equipment, and the vast multitude of people who were more of an encumbrance than help, and the built-in danger that was caused by the many safety shortcomings of the building which might have helped the spread of the fire and had certainly prevented the occupants of the building from making a quick exit before the fire spread, they managed to control the spread of fire.

It is for the enquiry committee to find out the cause of the fire, determine whether it was an accident or otherwise, and make the finding public. But for the moment, let us ask how well prepared in Bangladesh are we to face a disaster of this nature and magnitude?

The only disasters that we have so far bothered to consider in our planning for disaster management are natural calamities like floods and cyclones. And we have acquitted ourselves well when confronted with the elements' fury, in at least managing to reduce the effects of their aftermath on the people, and also for all the necessary post disaster measures. And such has been our success that many in the US were talking about getting experts from Bangladesh to organise relief measures in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Why is it that the BSEC Bhaban did not have adequate measures to respond to fire? It is imperative that some minimum safety arrangements should be in place in the high-rise buildings. That is what the regulations demand, and that is what is invariably neglected, mainly by design. Yes, of course, it is the fault of the relevant people in the administration whose task it was to ensure that the minimum safety-measures were in place.

Two very basic requirements, a fire alarm to warn of the fire and an escape exit, might have prevented even the four deaths. Fires don't spread suddenly and engulf a building instantly. Timely warning can save many precious lives. And considering the several incidents of fire in garment factories all over the country in the past several years, the government should have initiated actions to ensure that all buildings were fitted with adequate safety measures against outbreak of fire.

But while it is easy to blame the government for the failures, is it also not failure, too, on the part of the management of those offices and corporations housed in the building, to ensure that safety measures are not only in place, but also that drills are regularly conducted to face exactly the situation that arose on Monday.

It was their responsibility; too, to ensure that all actions that are needed to reduce hazards to a person's life while working in the office are taken. And it should not be the task of the city corporation alone, but also of the ministry of disaster and relief to ensure that, with all the urbanisation that has gone on in the most unplanned manner, adequate planning is done to assess the risk, and plan for mitigating the consequences of a disaster before it turns into a calamity. We are all saddened seeing the two TV, and a newspaper, offices completely destroyed, but cannot help thinking what might have been if we were all conscious of fire hazard that is more frequent than storms or floods.

It is a sad reflection of our psyche that we spring into action only after we are struck by a disaster or a calamity. Now we are talking about adequate apparatus and all necessary actions to tackle future fires. I cannot believe that the fire department was not alive to the shortcomings of their equipment, and also about the inadequate machinery, to tackle a fire of the scale we saw on Monday.

It is perhaps more to do with getting one's priorities right. And of course, cynical as it may sound, there is no shortage of money to spend in beautification of the city (which can wait) or expanding the façade of a late national leader's mausoleum, (the priority should be the living) or adding to the projected cost of expansion of an airport, allegedly to line the pocket of a minister's son, there is never enough for the procurement of such essential equipment that makes the job of the rescuers easy and help save people's lives.

Now that we are all moved into action, let me suggest few things that should be undertaken immediately. I suggest that teams be organised, headed by magistrates, by Rajuk, like the way anti-adulteration drive is conducted, to assess the state of the high-rise buildings and the deviations from the building codes.

Of particular emphasis should be the safety measures, as per the code, that must be inbuilt in the construction of the buildings. The owners must be compelled to make the necessary changes. The team must maintain constant oversight and lay a timeframe within which the changes must be incorporated. And it must be ensured that no future construction violates the building code, which has so far been possible through the unholy truck between the corrupt officials and the builders. REHAB must be engaged more intimately in this venture.

Also, evacuation drills must also be conducted regularly of occupants of high-rise buildings if future calamity and loss of lives are to be averted. We must start our preparation immediately. No one knows that we will not be struck again tomorrow; and tomorrow is never far away.

The writer is Editor Defence & Strategic Affairs, The Daily Star.