Students of Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) Emergency and Disaster Management and Occupational Health and Safety Programs had the opportunity to receive comprehensive training for 5 days. Practical training sessions were provided by AFAD trainers at the Istanbul AFAD Provincial Directorate and Üsküdar Municipality Disaster Affairs Building. All students who successfully passed the evaluation exam were entitled to receive a “Support AFAD Volunteer” certificate. Students gained practical knowledge in areas such as Urban Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology, First Aid Firefighting Techniques, Earthquake Awareness, and Evacuation Training.
Lecturer Esad Sadık Demirtaş: “It is a great necessity for students to take an active role in the field”
Stating that Turkey frequently faces natural disasters and emergency situations due to its geographical location, Lecturer Esad Sadık Demirtaş, Head of SHMYO Emergency and Disaster Management Program, said; “Knowing what needs to be done before, during, and after disasters and emergencies, and making preparations for these processes, is of vital importance. Especially for students graduating from relevant university departments such as Emergency and Disaster Management, Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, and Occupational Health and Safety, taking an active role in the field is a great necessity. Furthermore, it is also very important that disaster awareness is not limited to individuals trained in these areas but is understood and applied by the entire society. Increasing disaster awareness throughout society forms the basis of an effective risk reduction and response strategy. In this context, incentives are needed for everyone to participate in disaster and emergency training and to experience this process. In the initial stage, we started this process with two departments. In the upcoming periods, we aim to include other departments in these efforts on a voluntary basis.”
Comprehensive Training Received for 5 Days
During the first three days of the comprehensive five-day training program, topics such as Urban Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology, and First Aid were covered by AFAD trainers at the Üsküdar Municipality Disaster Affairs Building.
Practical Training Provided at AFAD Provincial Directorate
Subsequently, practical training sessions were provided at the Istanbul AFAD Provincial Directorate. In this context, students had the opportunity to gain practical knowledge in areas such as Firefighting Techniques, Fire Simulator Room Applications, Earthquake Awareness and Evacuation Training, Use of Debris Equipment, and Shelter and Tent Installation.
Students Qualified for “Support AFAD Volunteer” Certificate
All students who successfully passed the evaluation exam held on the last day of the program were entitled to receive a “Support AFAD Volunteer” certificate, which is valid for three years.