JAK Teams Are Ready for Uludağ's Security

Gendarmerie Search and Rescue teams are carrying out pre-semester drills against possible negative situations such as injuries, getting lost, getting stuck on the chairlift or in the field in Uludağ, where the ski season has started.

He witnessed the moment when an amateur mountain climber who was injured during the drill was given first aid and taken from where he was by snowmobile.

The Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) team, which is on duty in Uludağ, one of Turkey's important ski resorts, works day and night with its ski and motorized teams to ensure that local and foreign tourists can have a comfortable holiday.

In addition to the public order and traffic teams affiliated with the Provincial Gendarmerie Command, JAK teams are also ready to ensure peace and security in Uludağ, which hosts many local and foreign tourists during the winter season.

JAK teams, deployed in Uludağ and specially trained for search and rescue operations in disasters under all types of climatic conditions, have been responding to numerous incidents every year since their establishment in 1998 within the Uludağ Gendarmerie Station Command.

The Gendarmerie Search and Rescue team is on alert in the Hotels Zone at an altitude of 1800 meters and in areas close to the summit against possible negative situations such as injury, getting lost, or getting stranded on the chairlift or in the field.

Using snowmobiles and off-road vehicles in difficult terrain and weather conditions that drop to 10 degrees below zero, the teams carry out search and rescue, first aid, evacuation and public order duties.

While public order and traffic measures are being taken in Uludağ, where thousands of holidaymakers are expected during the semester break, JAK teams also organize search and rescue drills at regular intervals.

Injured Tourist Rescued According to the Scenario

The injured tourist was rescued as per the scenario. Within the scope of the drill recorded by the teams, the teams took action when a tourist called the 112 Emergency Call Center as per the scenario and said that he had an accident.

The teams quickly went to the point where the tourist was located with snowmobiles, performed first aid, picked up the injured person from where he was and brought him to the Hotels Zone on a stretcher on the snowmobile.

Providing information about the activities of the teams, JAK Team Commander Gendarmerie Chief Warrant Officer Yasin Demirkan said that JAK teams have been serving in Bursa for 27 years.

Stating that they continue their work in different terrain conditions, Demirkan emphasized that they carry out search and rescue missions in disasters such as getting lost, being stranded, earthquakes, floods and landslides that occur in the area of ​​responsibility, especially the Uludağ region.

Providing information about their duties in the region, Demirkan said, “In addition to search and rescue in cases of getting lost, being trapped, or injured due to falling, JAK teams also check the suitability of the equipment and gear of athletes performing mountaineering and climbing activities and follow them up during their activities.”

835 Incidents Responded to Last Year

Stating that the teams are ready for duty 7/24, Demirkan said, “Our teams have responded to 2024 falls, injuries and entrapment incidents in the Uludağ region in 835, and a total of 17 thousand since the date of establishment.”

Demirkan continued his words by explaining the stages of intervention in emergencies: “After the notification is received, the informant is contacted and information is obtained about the condition and location of the injured person. During this time, coordination is established with other units according to the nature of the incident. Materials and equipment appropriate to the nature of the incident are selected, and planning and necessary coordination are provided by evaluating the current situation, season and weather conditions, road conditions and logistic support needs. Following the preparations, the departure for duty, transfer, first aid to the casualty, evacuation plan and evacuation of the casualty to a safe area are carried out.”

Yasin Demirkan added that they acted as soon as possible to intervene in incidents in the provinces of Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Kütahya, Bilecik and Yalova when given a task.