A Search and Rescue Training Area is being established as part of a protocol signed between the Lapta Alsancak Çamlıbel (LAÇ) Municipality and the Cyprus Search and Rescue Association.
As part of the project, a training course and rescue field will be built on a plot of land allocated by the municipality. During the signing ceremony, LAÇ Mayor Fırat Ataser and Association President Muhammet Öksüzali emphasized the lessons learned from the February 6 earthquake.
“February 6 Became Part of Our Shared Memory”
Speaking at the event, Mayor Fırat Ataser underlined the importance of never forgetting the trauma caused by the February 6, 2023 earthquake:
“We were all in the field that day. On February 6, we came to know each other more closely. What we experienced became both a lesson and an example. We saw together what needs to be done and how operations should be organized.”
Ataser also stressed the need to be prepared not only for earthquakes but also for floods, fires, and other emergencies:
“Our country is also located in an earthquake-prone region. Due to our geographical and human ties with the Republic of Türkiye, we share this risk. We must be prepared.”
Building Safety Warning: “We Forget, But the Risk Hasn’t Passed”
Mayor Ataser highlighted the importance of building safety and proper zoning regulations:
“As I mention in every meeting, urban planning in our country must be re-evaluated. High-rise buildings, unauthorized constructions, and illegal developments pose a serious risk. We experienced February 6, but we forget too quickly. Yet we could face such a disaster again — and we must know what to do when it comes.”
Training Field and Volunteer System to Be Established
The new training facility will be open to both municipal staff and volunteers. It will feature an 8-part training course and two containers for operational use, where drills and rescue simulations will be carried out.
President of the Cyprus Search and Rescue Association, Muhammet Öksüzali, thanked Mayor Ataser for his support:
“Since February 6, the Mayor has been in the field with us. His commitment and personal experiences have led to this partnership. Today, we are not only establishing a training center, but also making significant progress in the field of search and rescue dog training.”
Öksüzali announced that, following the deployment of the search and rescue dog Sevil, four additional dogs have now been brought to the island. One of them will be entrusted to LAÇ Municipality for care and training.
First Container Kitchen Project Underway
Mayor Ataser also announced the launch of the Association’s mobile container kitchen project, describing it as the first of its kind in the country and noting efforts to expand its use across the region.
Conclusion: Institutionalizing Disaster Preparedness
Both parties emphasized that efforts to increase disaster awareness, encourage local government involvement, and support community-based volunteer training will continue and grow stronger in the coming period.
