FOUNDED 310 YEARS AGO, THE BRAVE FIREFIGHTERS OF THE ISTANBUL FIRE DEPARTMENT, ONE OF THE WORLD'S OLDEST AND MOST POWERFUL INSTITUTIONS, RACE AGAINST TIME TO QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY INTERVENE IN DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES TO PREVENT LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.
ERDİNÇ TURAN
ISTANBUL FIRE DEPARTMENT EUROPEAN SIDE FIRE STATION CHIEF
Mr. TURAN, we would like to get to know you. Could you talk about the process from the establishment of the Istanbul Fire Department to the present and your role here?
I was born on April 4, 1972, in the Çatalca district of Istanbul. In 2016, I completed my education in the Occupational Health and Safety Department at Atatürk University. I started my career as a firefighter within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 1997 and have served at the Beşiktaş, Sarıyer, Beyoğlu, and Bahçelievler Fire Stations respectively. In 2019, I became the Deputy Regional Manager of the 1st Region of the European Side Fire Department, and since April 2021, I have been working as the Director of the European Side Fire Department.
Regarding the establishment process of the Istanbul Fire Department, we can say the following;
Ottoman Sultan Murad III sent a decree to the Istanbul Judge in 1579 to prevent fires from becoming disasters. The decree ordered that "every house must have a large barrel of water, a ladder as tall as the house, and people must participate in extinguishing the fire instead of fleeing from it." This decree is considered the first written measure in our fire brigade history to combat fires.
The first fire pump was manufactured in Istanbul by an engineer named Gerçek Davut. The pump proved to be extremely useful during the "Tüfekhane" and "Tophane" fires. As a result, Sultan Ahmed III and Grand Vizier Damat İbrahim Pasha ordered the establishment of the "Tulumbacı Ocağı," which was attached to the Janissary Corps under the supervision of Gerçek Davut. This corps laid the foundation for today's modern fire brigade. In 1826, Sultan Mahmud II abolished the Janissary Corps, which had become corrupt in many ways. Consequently, the Tulumbacı Corps was also disbanded. Following this, local firefighting units were established in neighborhoods where people fought fires. However, the Great Hoca Pasha Fire in 1828 highlighted the need for a new fire brigade. Subsequently, the authorities of the time formed a fire pump battalion within the newly established Military Organization, called the Fire Battalion.
During the reign of Abdulaziz, when the Istanbul Municipality and district municipal offices were established, each of these offices formed a firefighting team called "Daireli." These were individuals who worked at their regular jobs during the day and stayed in the fire brigade dormitories at night.
The "Great Beyoğlu Fire" of 1871 exposed the deficiencies of these organizations. By order of Sultan Abdulaziz, a Hungarian expert named Count Ödön Széchenyi was brought in. He was given the rank of Pasha and began his work. On September 26, 1874, the Fire Brigade was established, consisting of 4 infantry (land) battalions and 1 naval (sea) battalion. This organization continued for 49 years from this date.
The Military Fire Brigade was officially transferred to the Municipal Fire Brigade on September 25, 1923. After serving as a directorate for 74 years, it continued its service as a Department Directorate from October 10, 1997.
With the transformation of the Istanbul Fire Department into a Department Directorate in 1997, its organizational structure also changed, creating three directorates: Central Fire Department Directorate, Istanbul Region Fire Department Directorate, and Anatolian Region Fire Department Directorate.
The Bosphorus Region Fire Department Directorate, established in 1999, served until 2005, after which it was merged with the Istanbul Region Fire Department Directorate to form the European Side Fire Department Directorate.
In 1987, the Emergency Aid and Rescue Directorate began its service and was attached to the Fire Department Directorate in 2006, giving the organization its current structure.
What are the service areas of the Istanbul Fire Department?
As the Istanbul Fire Department, we offer a wide range of services. Here are some of our main service areas:
Firefighting: Extinguishing fires throughout Istanbul, providing rescue and first aid services at the fire scene.
Rescue Operations: Conducting various rescue operations such as traffic accidents, natural disasters, high-rise building rescues, and underwater rescues.
Education and Drills: Raising public awareness about fire safety, organizing training sessions and drills in schools and institutions.
Inspection and Control: Performing fire safety inspections and ensuring that buildings comply with fire safety regulations.
Consulting Services: Providing fire safety
Chemical Incident Response: Specially trained operations for neutralizing or cleaning up hazardous chemicals using specialized equipment and protocols.
With these services, we are on duty 24/7 to ensure the safety of lives and property for the people of Istanbul.
Could you please provide information about fire statistics in Istanbul?
As the Istanbul Fire Department, we regularly collect and analyze fire statistics every year. These statistics include the causes of fires, their locations, and response times. Here are some general insights about fire statistics:
Annual Number of Fires: Thousands of fires occur annually across Istanbul. The number of these fires can vary depending on seasons, weather conditions, and other factors.
Types of Fires: Fires are categorized into residential, workplace, vehicle, forest, and grass fires. Residential fires are generally the most common.
Causes of Fires: The most common causes of fires include electrical faults, cigarette butts, kitchen fires, improper use of heating devices, and arson.
Response Times: We constantly strive to improve our response times. On average, our arrival time at the scene after receiving a fire alert is typically between 5-7 minutes.
Loss of Life and Property: Unfortunately, fires can result in loss of life and property. We work to minimize these losses through fire safety education and awareness activities, which play a crucial role in this regard.
Seasonal Variations: There is an increase in forest and grass fires during the summer months, while residential and heating device-related fires tend to increase during the winter months.
For detailed and up-to-date statistics, you can refer to the annual reports of the Istanbul Fire Department and its official website.
Could you provide information about the institutions and joint projects that Istanbul Fire Department collaborates with on both local and international platforms?
As Istanbul Fire Department, we collaborate with various institutions both locally and internationally and engage in joint projects. Here are some examples:
Local Collaborations:
AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency): We cary out coordinate efforts during natural disasters and emergencies.
Istanbul Police Department: We collaborate to ensure security during firefighting and emergency interventions.
Healthcare Institutions: We cooperate on first aid and emergency medical responses to ensure swift interventions at incident scenes.
Municipalities and District Fire Departments: We ensure effective coordination at the district level for firefighting and emergency response.
Universities and Educational Institutions: We conduct education and research projects on fire safety and firefighting.
(As Istanbul Fire Department, we have pioneered the first response protocol in collaboration with ITU-Energy Institute for potential nuclear plant fires in Turkey.)
International Collaborations:
INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group): INSARAG aims to ensure that United Nations teams rapidly reach and efficiently operate in regions needing search and rescue operations. They classify teams into "heavy urban search and rescue (USAR) teams" and "medium USAR teams" according to INSARAG standards.
Within our organization, one of our "Heavy USAR Teams" has completed the training and received certification, while the second team is scheduled to complete their training by September. Additionally, planning and training schedules have been established for three teams classified as "Medium USAR Teams."
Joint Projects:
Fire Safety Training: We conduct regular fire safety and first aid training sessions for both local communities and international partners.
Drills and Simulations: We participate in exercises with local and international organizations to enhance our disaster response capabilities.
Research and Development (R&D): We collaborate with universities and research institutions on projects related to fire safety and firefighting technologies.
Humanitarian Aid Operations: We organize humanitarian aid and search and rescue operations in collaboration with international partners in regions affected by natural disasters.
These collaborations and projects aim to enhance the capacity of the Istanbul Fire Department, align with international standards, and enable more effective responses to disasters.
Can we say that Turkish people are conscious about disasters? Has Turkey, with its institutions and organizations, learned the necessary lessons from the earthquake of February 6th and is it prepared for a major earthquake in Istanbul?
On February 6, 2023, I worked as the team leader with a team of 600 personnel who were the first responders to the Hatay Earthquake. From the initial moments of the earthquake until June 9, 2023, a total of 1602 personnel and 82 vehicles from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department participated in the operations.
While the disaster awareness among the Turkish population has significantly increased in recent years, there are still areas where this awareness needs further improvement. Particularly after major earthquakes like the one on February 6, 2023, the importance of disaster awareness and preparedness has been underscored once again. However, there are still steps that need to be taken to ensure preparedness for a potential earthquake in a large city like Istanbul.
In Turkey, the emergency management structure for companies regarding fire risks is not organized adequately to meet the needs. What are your recommendations for an effective Emergency Management structure?
In order for companies in Turkey to activate their emergency management structure for fire risks, they first need to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis. This analysis should focus on identifying areas with a high probability of fire outbreaks and potential hazards. Subsequently, a detailed and updated emergency plan should be prepared, including emergency exit routes, assembly points, and locations of firefighting equipment.
“In order for companies in Turkey to activate their emergency management structure for fire risks, they first need to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis. This analysis should focus on identifying areas with a high probability of fire outbreaks and potential hazards. Subsequently, a detailed and updated emergency plan should be prepared, including emergency exit routes, assembly points, and locations of firefighting equipment. ”
It is crucial to provide regular fire safety training to all employees and to conduct fire drills periodically. Fire extinguishers, alarm systems, and sprinkler systems should undergo regular maintenance and inspections to ensure they are always operational. These steps contribute to establishing a more prepared and resilient emergency management structure against fire risks. We have collaborative efforts with the Turkish Insurance Association.
Turkey is a disaster-prone country, and a major earthquake is expected in Istanbul soon. What project is Istanbul Fire Department undertaking to reduce the impact of fire risks arising from urban disasters?
The calculations made within the framework of TAMP (Turkey Disaster Response Plan) - IRAP (Provincial Risk Reduction Plan) for the projected 7.5 magnitude Marmara earthquake scenario indicate preparations for collapsed heavy and medium-damaged buildings, as well as simultaneous onset of fires (projected 2500 fires). In response, Istanbul Fire Department has expanded its fleet with the acquisition of 134 vehicles over the past 5 years and has planned vehicle acquisitions for the next 3 years. Requests for personnel acquisition have been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
In times of crisis, the first priority for the intervention team is to stay safe and healthy. How should a volunteer firefighter act in a fire?
A volunteer firefighter in a fire situation should first ensure their own safety and then quickly reach the fire scene. They should notify authorities of the fire and participate in rescue operations if necessary, but never at the risk of their own safety. If trained and safe, they can intervene with firefighting equipment. Teamwork and correct use of personal protective equipment are crucial.
There are 30 Volunteer Fire Stations affiliated with the Istanbul Fire Department established at various points across the city, with 369 active volunteer firefighters. Additionally, 1447 volunteer firefighters have received training. Efforts are ongoing to expand this practice throughout the city.
What are the benefits of using artificial intelligence in detecting and extinguishing basic fire risks in high-risk industrial facilities?
Artificial intelligence provides early detection of fire risks in high-risk industrial facilities, performs predictive maintenance through data analysis, optimizes firefighting strategies, ensures rapid response with automatic intervention systems, enhances efficiency, and continuously learns to improve fire risk management.
The use of AI effectively manages fire risks in industrial facilities, enhances workplace safety, and ensures operational continuity. This technology not only enhances efficiency but also can lead to cost savings.
AI applications are a newly emerging technology in our country that caters to every sector, yet it has not reached the desired level regarding fire safety in large industrial facilities.
“Artificial intelligence provides early detection of fire risks in high-risk industrial facilities, performs predictive maintenance through data analysis, optimizes firefighting strategies, ensures rapid response with automatic intervention systems, enhances efficiency, and continuously learns to improve fire risk management. The use of AI effectively manages fire risks in industrial facilities, enhances workplace safety, and ensures operational continuity. This technology not only enhances efficiency but also can lead to cost savings."
Fire engineering is emerging as an increasingly important field in our country in recent years. Unfortunately, the absence of a Fire Engineering Faculty in our universities saddens us. Rectifying this deficiency soon would please us.
Especially in industrial facilities, performance-based fire engineering with risk assessment goes beyond traditional methods to offer more effective solutions in fire safety management.
Risk Assessment in Fire Engineering
Risk assessment is the process of identifying and analyzing fire risks in industrial facilities. This method evaluates potential fire hazards, their impacts, and the likelihood of their occurrence. Based on this assessment, measures for prevention and mitigation are determined and prioritized.
Performance-Based Fire Engineering
A performance-based approach focuses on defining fire safety objectives and establishing necessary performance criteria to achieve these objectives. These criteria typically include measures such as fire extinguishing times, evacuation times, and structural fire resistance. Thus, effective intervention and evacuation procedures can be planned during a fire incident.
Developments and Applications in Turkey
Significant progress is being made in the field of fire engineering in our country. Particularly, applications of performance-based fire engineering with risk assessment in industrial facilities are becoming more widespread. These approaches contribute to raising fire safety standards in facilities and creating safer work environments.
In conclusion, risk assessment and performance-based fire engineering represent a modern and effective approach to managing fire risks in industrial facilities. With the use of these approaches, businesses can be made more resilient and prepared in terms of fire safety.
“Significant progress is being made in the field of fire engineering in our country. Particularly, applications of performance-based fire engineering with risk assessment in industrial facilities are becoming more widespread. These approaches contribute to raising fire safety standards in facilities and creating safer work environments.”
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