Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department Disaster Search and Rescue Branch Directorate teams are appreciated for their superior performance and professional approach in disaster preparedness. The 2025nd major drill of the Disaster Search and Rescue Branch Directorate in 2 was successfully carried out in the harsh winter conditions of Arslanköy Neighborhood.
Rescue training was conducted with real scenarios
In the drill organized to be prepared against avalanche danger and to maximize search and rescue capabilities, the teams received important training and conducted drills ranging from walking techniques in the avalanche area to victim extraction operations. The superior performance of the dog search and rescue team, which also undertakes an important task in earthquakes and other disaster situations, is of vital importance in the race against time by ensuring that victims buried under avalanches are quickly detected.
Show of force from underwater and surface search and rescue team
Considering the risks of the dam located in Arslanköy Neighborhood, the Underwater and Surface Search and Rescue Department also took an active role in the drill. The scenarios prepared for vehicles and accident victims falling into the water, especially in snowy weather conditions, were just as realistic. The teams carried out comprehensive training and drills ranging from rescue techniques in icy waters to the professional use of diving equipment.
Professional staff ready for any situation
Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, which does not hesitate to make any sacrifices for the safety of the people of Mersin and is always ready for disasters, plays a leading role in ensuring the safety of citizens with its preparedness and professionalism against disasters and emergencies. Mersin Fire Department, which aims to increase the response speed and effectiveness of the teams with training and drills that will continue throughout the year, successfully fulfills its duty by prioritizing life safety above all else.
Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, with its technological equipment and expert staff, exhibits an exemplary performance not only in the city but also in the region. The fire department, which is in constant development and training to provide the fastest and most effective intervention in times of disaster, continues to work day and night for the safety of citizens.
Tarık Gündüz: “We are ready for difficult conditions!”
Tarık Gündüz, who works as Mountaineering Search and Rescue Chief at the Disaster Search and Rescue Branch Directorate of the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, shared the details of the drill and said, “We successfully carried out our second drill in 2025 in the Arslanköy Neighborhood. In the drill, a comprehensive training process was carried out in order to develop search and rescue capabilities in difficult winter conditions and to be prepared for possible disasters.”
Gündüz stated that the aim of the exercise, which took place in harsh winter conditions, was to maximize search and rescue capabilities and to be prepared for possible disasters. Gündüz, who said that the Underwater and Surface Search and Rescue Department was also included in the exercise considering the possible risks of the dam located in the Arslanköy Neighborhood, said, “Our search and rescue dog team in particular played a major role in the search and rescue exercise. During the training, our search and rescue dogs contributed to the rapid detection of victims trapped under the avalanche and the finding of missing persons, minimizing the intervention time of our teams. In addition, our Underwater and Surface Search and Rescue Department was also included in the exercise due to the dam located in the Arslanköy Neighborhood. Special training was conducted for vehicles and victims that may fall into the water as a result of traffic accidents that may occur in snowy weather conditions.”
