With the Virtual Reality Based Earthquake Simulation developed by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Brigade Department, a training program that will enable Izmir residents to survive in the event of an earthquake has started. The simulation, which enables earthquakes of 5 to 7 magnitudes to be experienced, makes the scenario completely realistic with virtual reality glasses.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality implemented many works after the 30 October Izmir earthquake. One of those studies is the earthquake simulation developed by the Fire Department. The simulation, which is a virtual reality-based system, enables users to experience a real earthquake moment with virtual reality glasses. Metropolitan Municipality provides training to citizens in this context in order to create a disaster-ready society by creating disaster awareness at the Fire and Natural Disaster Training Center in Buca Toros. In İzmir, which is located in an earthquake zone, citizens are taught how to protect themselves during a possible earthquake and what to do before and after the earthquake.
Formulas for surviving an earthquake
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department Head İsmail Derse said that they had a great experience in the 30 October İzmir earthquake. Stating that right after this earthquake, they designed a virtual reality-based system for children, youth and adults to memorize the standard movements to be made in the earthquake, İsmail Derse said, “We are trying to inform and raise awareness of our citizens by making use of the light of science. We teach them ways to survive in a possible disaster. The basic thing is 'Drop, Shut, Hold!' We teach them in this training how he will get himself out of the building if he is not under the rubble.”
“Our aim is to make them escape with the least damage”
Fire Brigade Training Branch Manager Serkan Korkmaz said that Virtual Reality Based Earthquake Simulation is offered to users with three scenarios. Stating that the behaviors to be acquired before, during and after the earthquake constitute the content of the education, Serkan Korkmaz said, “An earthquake scenario is also prepared here for children between the ages of 7-12. We have received pedagogical suitability for this. We explain how the participants will protect themselves before, during and after an earthquake. Here we make practical what needs to be done during an earthquake. We are trying to ensure that citizens get rid of a possible earthquake with the least damage,” he said.
They experienced the moment of the earthquake
In the education center, children between the ages of 7 and 12 experience earthquakes up to a magnitude of 5 and adults up to a magnitude of 7. Alim Çopur, one of the university students who attended the training, said, “I was very excited. Even if it was a simulation, I experienced the earthquake moment. It is good that such an application was made. I was both excited and a little scared," he said. Stating that she experienced the Izmir earthquake, Aleyna Sağlam said, “It was as if I experienced those moments again, but I also knew what I had to do. It was very realistic. My heart is still beating fast. We see what we are going through in that moment and learn what we need to do to protect ourselves. We are alone at the moment. And we have to protect ourselves. Everyone should do this. “It was very exciting to experience it here,” he said. Bayraklı Abdullah Kestel, who experienced the earthquake, stated that he found the application extremely realistic and said, “I lived that day again. It was very realistic. I thought I was inside my own house. I was very surprised, it suddenly swayed. I didn't expect it to be so realistic. I was so scared, I meant myself. My leg is cramped. It was very instructive,” he said.
Those who want to receive training can apply to the Fire Brigade Department through the address firefighting.izmir.bel.tr.
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