UMT TAKES STEPS TO STRENGTHEN FIREFIGHTING SERVICES
ALTUN: “WE WILL DISCUSS NOT ONLY THE SHORTCOMINGS, BUT ALSO THE SOLUTIONS”
The Union of Municipalities of Turkey (UMT) held a consultation meeting on strengthening firefighting services. At the meeting, measures to be taken and the current state of fire departments were comprehensively discussed, particularly in light of the expected increase in fire risks during the summer months.
Ulaş Altun, Deputy Secretary General of the UMT, delivered the opening speech at the meeting, emphasizing that fire services are one of the most vital areas of local administration. Emphasizing the need to further strengthen these services, Altun said, “Our fire departments are not just units that fight fires; they are institutions that provide first response in disasters, save lives, and ensure the safety of the community,” drawing attention to the importance of institutional capacity, training, equipment, and regulatory infrastructure.
The Fire Disaster in Bolu Was Recalled
In his speech, Altun recalled the hotel fire in Bolu and stated that the importance of improving the service standards of the organization after the disaster was once again understood. Altun stated that the results of the evaluation process carried out at the UMT meeting after the fire were shared with the relevant ministry, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), and the public. Altun noted that they had concluded that a more comprehensive meeting, which would address not only the issues but also best practices and solution proposals, would be beneficial.
“We Will Produce Concrete Results”
Stating that the meeting would not be limited to mere observations, Altun said, “We will not only discuss the shortcomings, but we will also work together to produce solutions and communicate them to all relevant institutions, especially lawmakers.”
Two Main Agenda Items of the Meeting
The meeting, which took place within the framework of two main agenda items, first assessed the current state of fire departments and the shortcomings in legislation. Subsequently, preventive measures and intervention processes that could be taken against the increased risk of fires during the summer months were discussed.
The meeting also addressed topics such as personnel training, field practice, and increasing local technical capacity.
At the meeting organized by the UMT with the participation of fire department directors and managers from metropolitan and provincial municipalities, it was proposed that a commission be established within the Union of Municipalities of Turkiye in order to respond to fires more quickly and in a coordinated manner. The commission aims to enhance inter-organizational cooperation, contribute to the sharing of best practices, and develop legislative proposals. At the meeting, it was decided to initiate the necessary steps to implement this proposal and take concrete actions in the near future.