77th GEA Search and Rescue Exercise – Istanbul

The 77th GEA Search and Rescue Exercise was carried out on August 27-30, with the participation of 173 people.  It started with Turkish National Anthem followed by a moment of respect for our soldiers, police officers and all martyrs. The exercise was completed on 30th of August Victory Day after the celebrations and with the National Anthem. In addition to national and international operations team members and Young GEA from different cities, 12 people from PWJ, APAD, IronMan search and rescue teams from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan took part in the exercise.

In the theoretical education part the training such as mission-vision, requirements for humanitarian aid, disaster and cultural heritage, Insarag light search and rescue team structure were carried out at Altunizade Kültür Merkezi (Altunizade Cultural Center). Prof. Ali Pinar from Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory shared information about the studies of Kandilli Observatory and the earthquake in Istanbul.
In order to make scenarios close to real cases during the exercise, in the Fikirtepe region, which is an urban transformation area, various buildings were demolished to be used and practical field studies were carried out in these debris areas.

Within the frame of different scenarios, in the debris areas the applications such as supporting debris, breaking, setting up a rope station and carrying a survivor with rope and searching with electronic devices, guidance to Virtual OSSOC, filling out Insarag forms, debris marking, meeting with local authorities were done.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian aid team received the training on the establishment of the main camp site, logistics, communication with victims  and volunteerism, earthquake and fire, theoretical and practical training of disaster containers preparation education. In addition, the team was trained for the installation of a 30 m2 inflatable tent, which is resistant to different weather conditions and produced by Norlense, a Norwegian company. At the same time, they were trained for using and maintenance of Bosch brand equipment.
During the 4-Day exercise, which was held in 3 different locations of Istanbul, in 17 debris areas and lasted 59 hours of search and rescue work; 173 team members of search and rescue, medical logistics and humanitarian aid and 3 search dogs rescued 26 victims out of the debris. For this exercise, 4 buildings were demolished, and a total of 28 buildings were used.

We know that it might look naïve and childish, however we have the right to say these! We, Volunteer Search and Rescue Teams, endanger our lives under the debris just because we respect Human and Life, and we love all people. We don’t understand terror and violence and why a person kills a person…

RESPECT FOR LIFE! NO TO TERRORISM!