We are the people who came together around a call made approximately 13 years ago, and at the end of 13 years, we are in the process of institutionalizing by laying a solid foundation, starting with a forest fire. The observations we made during our first participation in a forest fire 13 years ago and in the subsequent processes of natural disasters, aside from our interventions, have clearly shown us the deficiencies in this field.
In the context of disaster response, providing early reactions, ensuring coordination during chaotic moments, determining the right, effective, and acceptable strategies, and securing appropriate and sufficient equipment are the greatest challenges that can be faced. In all the disasters we have actively worked in until today, we have gained the necessary experience and completed both theoretical and practical disaster response training. When we add the deficiencies we observed in fire zones, especially during the work we carried out in the 6th February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake, it has highlighted different requirements that need to be applied in disaster areas moving forward.
Institutionalisation and the subsequent creation of equipment based on needs have become one of the most critical requirements in this field. With the establishment of our association, we have provided unwavering support to our society and, in turn, to our government, risking our lives for the nature and people of this country—all without any profit motive. In this field, we reach out to anyone who, like you, feels a deep sense of belonging to their country, wishes to contribute, and is equipped with the right conditions to do so. What started with just a few friends coming together has now evolved into a structure that we're working to make as beneficial as possible for our country and people.
The rates of disaster volunteering vary between 99% (Australia) and 47% (Czech Republic) when considering the EU geography. In our country, however, the concept of volunteering is still in its early stages of development, and the percentage of "public personnel/trained volunteers" is much lower than it should be.
When we talk about natural disasters, the main events that occur are large forest fires, earthquakes, and floods. Along with these disasters, this topic is a broad concept that requires support from every individual in society and calls for a multidisciplinary approach. Our association members/volunteers are individuals from various disciplines, including public health professionals, aeroplane crash reporters, educators, biologists, people from different NGOs, and media representatives. Having a multidisciplinary association structure allows us to bring together experts from different fields, enabling them to collaborate, analyze, and develop solutions.
The most important factor that distinguishes disaster volunteers is their ability to go beyond complaining about problems and actively develop effective solutions in disaster areas. Just like everywhere in the world, they help solve problems by coordinating appropriately with the public in areas where it is insufficient, all while progressing with an amateur spirit and a professional approach, without expecting anything in return.
ASSOCIATION BOARD
Our board of directors, which drives the mission of our association forward and directs conscious and effective interventions against disasters, acts with a sense of solidarity and responsibility.
Tayfun
Çanakcı
President
İrfan
Tunçalp
General Secretary
Birdal
Cihangir
General Treasurer
Eral
Osmanlar
Operational Organization Officer
Buğra
Alkaş
Training and Exercise Officer
Kemal
Basat
Logistics and Technological Infrastructure Officer
Ahmet
Mahirel
Legal Affairs Officer
Fahri
Uyguroğlu
Media, Publication, and Propaganda Officer
Özkan
Özanalp
Social Affairs and Facilities Officer
Ramadan
Yarkan
Active Member
Adilcan
Meraklı
Active Member
Süleyman
Tarık Sakallı
Active Member
Ahmet
Cepeoğlu
Active Member
Hüseyin
Korkmazhan
Active Member
Our Association's Charter
Our Current Vehicle, Tool, and Equipment Capacıty
- 2 Role Radios and Mobile Role Stations
- 11 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- 11 Fire Helmets and Goggles
- 1 Logistics and Response Vehicle
- 1 Fire First Response Vehicle
- 43 Wildfire Multitool-Gurguda
- 8 Adet Role Telsiz ve 25 Adet Mobil Telsiz 1 Adet Mobil Telsiz Role İstasyonu
- 11 Kişilik AB Standartlarında Orman Yangını Kişisel Güvenlik Ekipmanı ve Baret
- 5.5 Kva Jeneratör
Our Shared Grief
