Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş has taken an important step that reveals the capital’s level of preparedness against possible disasters. The Disaster Training and Logistics Center, established on a strategic area of 7 square meters next to Esenboğa Airport, was introduced to the press with Yavaş’s participation. Mayor Yavaş, who provided detailed information about the center’s operation and capacity, emphasized that they acted with a proactive approach against disasters, saying, “Our duty is to take such measures before a disaster occurs and show that we are ready, to be ready and to intervene as soon as possible. Hopefully, it will not happen in Istanbul or anywhere else in our country, but if it does, we have prepared our teams to set off within half an hour or an hour.”
Awareness Emphasis After Istanbul Earthquake
During the press tour, Mayor Yavaş drew attention to the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Istanbul and stated that the promotion of the center gained special importance after this sad event. Yavaş said, “It was a coincidence. After the earthquake we experienced in Istanbul yesterday, we found it appropriate to show this place in order to create awareness. As you can see here, we established such a facility in order to be ready for a possible earthquake or other disasters. Because in a sudden situation, it is extremely difficult to call the teams, collect the equipment in other places, assemble them, then load them and take them to the scene of the incident.”
Preparations Strengthened by the February 6 Experience
Recalling the difficulties experienced in the February 6 earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş, Yavaş emphasized that the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department arrived at the scene in a short time, but that it is vital to determine emergency needs in advance and be prepared in case of a disaster. Yavaş stated that the Disaster Training and Logistics Center not only provides logistical support, but also trains personnel in disaster response. Underlining that thanks to the cooperation with volunteer groups, a wider preparedness network has been established against a possible disaster, Yavaş stated that these preparations are of critical importance not only for Ankara and its surroundings, but also for all of Turkey, especially when considering the possible Istanbul earthquake.
Metropolitan Cities Are the Locomotive of Disaster Response
Mayor Yavaş, recalling his words regarding the preparations they made against the possible earthquake in Istanbul last year, drew attention to the critical role of metropolitan municipalities in disaster response. Yavaş, who said, “Our duty is to take such measures before a disaster occurs, to show that we are ready, to be ready and to intervene as soon as possible,” emphasized that metropolitan municipalities are the most agile force in disasters thanks to the strong equipment and human resources they have. Yavaş said, “I hope that it will create awareness and especially metropolitan municipalities are very strong in terms of equipment. I think that by making such preparations, metropolitan municipalities, which are perhaps the most active forces in Türkiye right now, will make the same preparations in terms of disaster response and at least minimize the damages.”
Criticism of IMM's Participation in AFAD Meeting
Responding to questions from members of the press, Mayor Yavaş voiced his criticisms regarding the fact that no one from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality attended the AFAD meeting held after the earthquake in Istanbul. Yavaş emphasized the importance of cooperation by saying, “Of course they should be invited. Because I specifically claim in every speech; the most agile force in Türkiye today is the metropolitan municipalities. There are no exceptions. 30 metropolitan municipalities. Because as a result of the abolition of the Special Provincial Administrations in these areas, all their equipment was given to the metropolitan municipalities. And currently, except for the State Hydraulic Works and the Ministry of Forestry, there is no other institution in Türkiye that has large-scale construction machinery and vehicles other than the metropolitan municipalities. Therefore, cooperation in such cases will minimize the damage and loss. I hope they will abandon these practices because municipalities are also a part of the public and, as I said, the most dynamic and powerful institutions. When you exclude them, I claim that no one can do anything. In other words, if you exclude the metropolitan municipalities, especially in large cities, you will be handicapped. Because no institution has any vehicle equipment other than the metropolitan municipality.” When asked whether a vehicle had been sent from Ankara to Istanbul for assistance, Yavaş stated that they could take immediate action if there was a request.
Disaster Campus Vision Comes to Life
The Disaster Training and Logistics Center established by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality in the Balıkhisar Neighborhood of Akyurt, right next to Esenboğa Airport, plays a critical role in pre-disaster preparation, rapid response during a disaster, and post-disaster recovery processes. The center, which was established on an area of 7 square meters and is planned to be transformed into a “Disaster Campus” of 83 square meters in the future, has a wide range of logistics facilities to meet the basic needs of disaster victims. Tents, containers, mobile WC-shower units, mobile laundries, duty uniforms, textile products, and other vital supplies are kept ready in the 569-square-meter storage area. In addition, there are two training classes, each with a capacity of 75 people, where simultaneous training can be given in the disaster area.
The logistic power of the center is remarkable. In addition to 200 container WCs, 8 mobile showers, 40 single showers and 60 demountable containers, 200 tents are also stored to be used when needed. In order to meet the hot meal needs in disaster areas, 30 mobile kitchens that can provide meals to 20 thousand people and soup to 5 thousand people per day, 2 soup distribution trucks, a mobile bakery and a mobile greengrocer are also ready for duty at all times. Ankara Fire Department, which reaches the disaster area the fastest and is at the forefront of search and rescue efforts, is on alert for a possible disaster response with 300 expert search and rescue personnel, 7 fully equipped search and rescue vehicles, 7 K-9 search and rescue dogs, 2 life trailers, 4 caravans and 15 kinomatic tents. This comprehensive facility, which covers a total area of 83 square meters, is planned to be transformed into a full-fledged "Disaster Campus" in the future, which clearly demonstrates Ankara's vision for disaster preparedness.
