İZDENİZ İzmir Deniz İşletmeciliğiİzmir Metropolitan Municipality, a key player in sea transportation, organized comprehensive disaster and fire training for İZDENİZ personnel. These training sessions were conducted on a ferry located at the Bostanlı Ferry Terminal to ensure the safety of staff and, consequently, passengers during potential disaster situations. The training covered vital topics such as the 'drop, cover, and hold on' action to be taken during an earthquake, safe evacuation methods, the importance of a disaster kit, and the critical role of the first 72 hours, all addressed through practical applications.
Why Are İZDENİZ Personnel Receiving Disaster Training?
Due to Turkey's geographical location, natural disasters, especially earthquakes, are frequently encountered, making preparedness essential for all segments of society. For İZDENİZ, operating in a critical sector like sea transportation, having personnel who are aware of and trained for disasters is of paramount importance for both their own safety and the security of the thousands of passengers they transport. These training sessions, provided by the Disaster Preparedness Branch Directorate of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's Department of Disaster Affairs and Risk Management, aim to enable personnel to respond correctly and quickly in the event of a disaster.
Scope and Details of the Training
The training program covers a wide range of topics, from precautions to be taken before a disaster, to actions during a disaster, and initial responses afterward. According to information provided by Sümeyra Günsel Kığılı, an instructor from the Disaster Preparedness Branch Directorate, participants received practical information on identifying safe areas in homes and workplaces, correct evacuation methods, and the use of fire extinguishers. Special emphasis was placed on the proper execution of the 'drop, cover, and hold on' action, which is vital for ensuring personal safety during an earthquake.
- Drop, Cover, and Hold On: The fundamental action to be taken during an earthquake to protect the head and body.
- Safe Evacuation Methods: Strategies for evacuating correctly and quickly without panicking during a disaster.
- Disaster Kit Preparation: A bag containing water, food, first aid supplies, and hygiene products to meet basic needs for the first 72 hours. Pet food should also not be forgotten.
- Fire Extinguisher Use: Necessary knowledge and skills for initial intervention in small-scale fires.
- Family Disaster Planning: Defining responsibilities among family members and preparing children for the reality of disasters.
Passenger Safety and Its Impact on İZDENİZ Services
Such training directly impacts passenger safety on İZDENİZ's inner-bay services like Konak - Bostanlı and Üçkuyular - Bostanlı, as well as on longer routes such as Erdek - Avşa - Marmara Islands. Trained personnel guide passengers correctly in a potential emergency, preventing panic and managing evacuation processes more effectively. This ensures that ferry services are not only comfortable but also offer the highest level of safety. For citizens using sea transportation in İzmir Bay, such preparations provide significant assurance for peaceful journeys.
These ongoing training sessions, aimed at creating a disaster-prepared society, gain even greater importance in light of recent painful experiences such as the October 30 İzmir Earthquake and the February 6 Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes. İZDENİZ and the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality aim to increase disaster awareness among both their personnel and all citizens through these trainings, and to minimize loss of life in potential disasters. Passengers are also advised to follow personnel guidance during a disaster and to have basic disaster knowledge for their own safety. For more information, you can review the İzmir Bay Ferries guide.