The importance of coordination in disaster management was discussed at SHMYO

An event titled “AFAD's Organizational Structure and Duties” was organized by the Emergency and Disaster Management Program of Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO). During the event, AFAD's activities, ranging from pre-disaster risk reduction and preparedness efforts to response processes during a disaster, post-disaster recovery activities, and search and rescue operations, were comprehensively discussed. The event, which included examples from real-life incidents, increased students' knowledge and awareness in disaster and emergency management, while also significantly contributing to their professional development. 

The event held at Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services was attended by SHMYO Assistant Director, Head of Emergency and Disaster Management Program Instructor Esad Sadık Demirtaş, Head of Dental Prosthetics Technology Program Instructor Mehmet Kavacık, Environmental Health Program Instructor Tuğçe Yılmaz Karan, AFAD Search and Rescue Unit Deputy Commander and Diver Onur Tozlu, AFAD Fortification Instructor and Diver Eyüp Bilgin, and AFAD Search and Rescue Technicians Eren Sivri and Muhammet Ali Özdemir.

Instructor Esad Sadık Demirtaş: “AFAD has a very broad scope of duty”

SHMYO Assistant Director and Head of Emergency and Disaster Management Program Instructor Esad Sadık Demirtaş emphasized that AFAD is not just an institution that intervenes when a disaster occurs.

Demirtaş stated, “AFAD has a very broad scope of duty, including reducing disaster risks, carrying out preparedness activities, conducting training and awareness-raising activities, coordinating response processes, and planning post-disaster recovery efforts. The work carried out by the institution with its central and provincial organizations constitutes an important example of an integrated approach covering all stages of disaster management.”

Demirtaş stated that for disaster-resilient societies to be created, not only institutions but also individuals must be familiar with disaster management processes, and that students learning about AFAD's organizational structure, duties, and coordination mechanisms in disaster management will significantly contribute to their professional lives.

Within the scope of the event, the training was conducted by AFAD Search and Rescue Unit Deputy Commander and Diver Onur Tozlu.

Time is critically important in search and rescue operations

Within the scope of the program, AFAD's organizational structure, duties and responsibilities, and its place in the disaster management system were discussed. Onur Tozlu explained the institution's activities, from pre-disaster risk reduction and preparedness efforts to response organization during a disaster and post-disaster recovery processes. Tozlu emphasized that central and provincial organizations work in coordination and drew attention to the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in disaster management.
Tozlu also touched upon search and rescue activities, providing information about the working principles of teams operating in earthquakes, floods, landslides, and other disasters. Emphasizing the critical importance of time in operations, Tozlu stated that the teams operate with professional equipment and trained personnel.

Underwater operations involve high risk

Evaluating diving activities, Tozlu stated that AFAD's underwater search and rescue teams undertake important duties in different water environments such as floods, inundations, dams, ponds, rivers, and seas. Providing information about the equipment used and the work processes in operations, Tozlu noted that underwater missions involve high risk, personnel working in this field undergo special training, and are kept ready with regular drills.

Quick decision-making and coordination enable effective intervention on the field

AFAD Fortification Instructor and Diver Eyüp Bilgin, on the other hand, shared information regarding AFAD's organizational structure and the formation process of search and rescue teams.

Bilgin stated that AFAD is the main public institution responsible for the coordination of disaster management in Turkey, and thanks to its organizational structure, which consists of a central presidency and provincial disaster and emergency directorates, it enables quick decision-making, coordination, and effective intervention on the field during disasters.

Bilgin stated that search and rescue personnel undergo comprehensive training, physical competency, and specialization processes before starting their duties, and that the teams specialize in various fields such as heavy urban search and rescue, underwater and surface rescue, and mountaineering and wilderness search and rescue.

Drawing attention to the importance of coordinated work in disaster areas, Bilgin emphasized that in large-scale disasters, the rapid deployment of teams, the creation of safe working areas, and correct intervention are vitally important. He added that the teams undertake active roles not only in response processes but also in reconnaissance, evaluation, and risk analysis.

Examples from real incidents were shared

In the training where examples from real incidents and field experiences were shared, students had the opportunity to observe more closely AFAD's role in the disaster management system and the importance of search and rescue activities. At the end of the event, participants increased their knowledge and awareness regarding disaster and emergency management, while also gaining the opportunity to evaluate the importance of AFAD's activities for public safety.

The event concluded with a group photo session after certificates of appreciation were presented to the educators and contributing participants.