Istanbul Municipality trains 1,500 employees in disaster preparedness

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) marked the 27th anniversary of the devastating 1999 Marmara earthquake by completing pre-disaster awareness and preparedness training for 1,500 employees. The ceremony, held at the Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM), honored the memory of the thousands lost in the earthquake.

“

Our personnel have successfully learned many critical topics practically, from tent setup techniques to superficial search and rescue, from casualty evacuation procedures to first aid and the use of modern search and rescue equipment.

İBB Deputy Chairman Nuri Aslan highlighted the critical importance of preparedness, stating, "We must never be unprepared again." He emphasized that remembering the tragedy should translate into concrete preparation and decisive action. "We have not forgotten, and we will not forget that pain. But we know very well that just remembering is not enough; remembering must turn into concrete preparation and decisive action," Aslan said.

AKOM President Ergün Cebeci detailed the comprehensive training curriculum. "Our personnel have successfully learned many critical topics practically, from tent setup techniques to superficial search and rescue, from casualty evacuation procedures to first aid and the use of modern search and rescue equipment," Cebeci explained. He added that each employee is now not only a municipal worker but also a first responder and a source of security for their families, colleagues, and neighbors during a potential disaster.

“

We must never be unprepared again. We have not forgotten, and we will not forget that pain. But we know very well that just remembering is not enough; remembering must turn into concrete preparation and decisive action.

Aslan also referenced the ongoing legal process involving Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, stating he had just come from İmamoğlu's hearing and conveyed his greetings. "We are going through a difficult process, but we are overcoming this period shoulder to shoulder thanks to your faith and effort," Aslan told the employees, thanking them for their dedication to Istanbul's future and its 16 million residents.

“

We are going through a difficult process, but we are overcoming this period shoulder to shoulder thanks to your faith and effort.

The İBB has set an ambitious goal to equip a total of 10,000 employees with these disaster preparedness skills by the end of 2027. Aslan concluded by noting that each trained employee strengthens Istanbul's resilience, with the 1,500 graduates forming the first link in this vital defense chain.

“

Each trained employee strengthens Istanbul's resilience, with the 1,500 graduates forming the first link in this vital defense chain.