Istanbul's most extensive radio communication network established in Tuzla
The 3rd anniversary of the February 6 earthquake is being commemorated in Tuzla with lessons learned and measures taken. While Tuzla Municipality continues its preparations against natural disasters such as earthquakes without interruption, it has established Istanbul's first emergency radio communication network. The Tuzla Disaster and Emergency Coordination Center provides 82 radios to all public units, neighborhood headmen, fire departments, and health teams, offering the opportunity for rapid and coordinated work. The online test broadcast, in which all institutions participated, began with a remembrance of those who lost their lives in the February 6 earthquake.
İHA
Continuing its disaster preparedness efforts following the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes that occurred 9 hours apart on February 6, 2023, Tuzla Municipality has launched an effective communication network, implemented for the first time in Turkey within the scope of the Turkey Disaster Response Plan (TAMP).
Tuzla Municipality maintains its level of preparedness against disasters at the highest level by using a radio communication system that includes all public institutions in the district as well as volunteers who will be the first to act in a disaster. By distributing 82 radios across 23 working groups and 17 neighborhoods, Tuzla Municipality has thus established the most widespread communication network in Turkey on a single frequency.
ANNOUNCEMENT MADE FROM THE CENTER, UNITS RESPONDED
In the message he sent to all units connected to the center, Tuzla Disaster and Emergency Management Center personnel Muhammet İkbal Sunar said, "On the 3rd anniversary of the February 6 earthquakes, we remember with mercy all our citizens who lost their lives, and we extend our condolences to their grieving families and our dear nation. We wish a speedy recovery to our provinces affected by the earthquake." he said.
"WE ARE THE FIRST DISTRICT TO EXPAND THIS NETWORK"
Disaster Affairs Manager Muharrem Kaya stated the following regarding the radio network and the February 6 earthquakes:
"We are in the week marking the anniversary of the February 6 earthquakes. On this occasion, I pray for God's mercy upon all our citizens who lost their lives in Hatay and our 11 provinces. I convey my best wishes for recovery to all our provinces. Radios have been distributed to our directorates and the 23 working groups included within the scope of the TAMP (Turkey Disaster Response Plan). In the Tuzla radio communication system, we have a relay station dedicated to disasters within military boundaries. With this relay, we have established a communication network related to disaster affairs in our Tuzla. Furthermore, we have expanded this communication network by distributing radios to our 17 neighborhoods. We are the first district in Istanbul to expand this network by distributing radios to neighborhood headmen. On this occasion, we would like to thank our Mayor, Attorney Eren Ali Bingöl, our deputy mayors, and our directors, who have not withheld their help and support from us."
"WE HAVE ESTABLISHED OUR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN ALL POINTS OF OUR DISTRICT"
Tuzla Municipality Search and Rescue Team Leader İbrahim Erten shared the following regarding the established radio system:
"In order to ensure uninterrupted communication in our district during potential disasters and emergencies, a radio system was distributed to 23 working groups and our 17 neighborhoods connected to these groups within the scope of TAMP, and their connections to our Disaster Coordination Center were established. Our goal here is to be aware of all our neighborhoods in the event of a potential disaster with the understanding that 'the place you cannot reach is not yours,' to direct our emergency teams, and to coordinate incoming support teams correctly; we have established our communication system in all points of our district."
"WE KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST EIGHT HOURS"
Regarding the subject, Erten stated: "We are establishing our neighborhood disaster teams in relation to this. We are placing one disaster container in each of our neighborhoods. We are training our teams so that our citizens can perform the first intervention in potential disaster emergencies with disaster stations. We have established these systems to collect the support requests that will arise at our Coordination Center and forward them to the AFAD Union Directorate. We have installed a relay station dedicated to disasters in our district. We have set up our radio systems. In total, we have distributed 82 radios to working groups and neighborhood headmen. Our goal is to ensure uninterrupted communication in a potential disaster and emergency. In a potential disaster and emergency, saving our citizens and meeting their needs in the first 8 hours is of vital importance. Although it is referred to as 72 hours in international literature, we know the importance of the first 8 hours very well. For this reason, we have established our communication infrastructure and connected our entire district to our Disaster Coordination Center." he added.