Teaching Disaster Preparedness to Young Minds in Beşiktaş

Beşiktaş Municipality organized a Disaster Awareness Training program for second-grade primary school students at the Prof. Dr. Aykut Barka Earthquake Park, aiming to raise awareness of disaster preparedness from an early age. The training focused on search and rescue operations, appropriate actions during earthquakes, and basic disaster awareness through practical and age-appropriate activities.

The program was delivered by Beşiktaş Municipality’s Disaster Management Center (AYÖM). As part of the training, students first watched an educational animated film introducing key concepts of disaster awareness and outlining what to do during and after an earthquake. Search and rescue teams then explained the role and responsibilities of the Disaster Management Center, sharing insights into emergency response efforts carried out following disasters.

During the session, students were introduced to search and rescue equipment and learned how the tools are used in emergency situations. The young participants also had the opportunity to observe demonstrations with search and rescue dogs, gaining first-hand insight into their vital role in rescue operations. At the conclusion of the training, disaster awareness booklets were distributed to the students to reinforce key messages.

Sinem Acıbadem, a search and rescue officer at Beşiktaş Municipality shared the following remarks regarding the training program: “We provide disaster awareness education to students attending both public and private schools in Beşiktaş, including kindergartens. Through this training, children develop essential awareness about disasters. We have two search and rescue dogs, and by observing them, students learn how they assist during emergencies. We also explain what actions should be taken during an earthquake.”