“You Protected the Trees and Flowers of This Land”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki met with municipal workers who bravely fought against the wildfires threatening İzmir and Bornova, gathering with them at dawn to personally express his gratitude. Speaking at a breakfast table set up at the municipal worksite, Mayor Eşki said, “You have protected the soil, the stones, the flowers, and the trees of this land.”

As İzmir once again faced the threat of forest fires under the scorching summer heat, Mayor Eşki extended heartfelt thanks to the municipal workers who stood at the frontline of this tough battle. At daybreak, he visited staff from the Cleaning Services, Parks and Gardens, Public Works, and Driver Services departments. Eşki praised their dedication and solidarity, which, he noted, has been appreciated by all of İzmir.

Effective Response to the Flames
During his speech at the breakfast, Mayor Eşki emphasized that they had learned important lessons from the major fires last year and had taken concrete steps accordingly. He highlighted investments made for faster and more effective response to fires:
“We modified our municipal water tankers and converted three of them into modern vehicles capable of spraying pressurized water. It was a costly investment, but nothing is more valuable than a single tree or a living being,” he said.

Thanks to these preventive measures, Eşki stated that Bornova was able to avoid a major fire disaster this year:
“With the help of this system and rapid intervention, we managed to control fires at six different locations on the same day before they spread. We quickly suppressed what could have turned into a large-scale disaster in Yakaköy. This success is the result of a collective effort,” he noted.

Record Response from Bornova to Buca Fire
Mayor Eşki also recalled the quick mobilization in response to a fire that broke out in Buca and spread toward Torbalı.
“As soon as we heard about the fire in Buca, we sprang into action. In just one hour, over 200 of our municipal workers rushed to the scene with construction machinery and water tankers. That night, no one cared about shifts or whether they were resting at home. Everyone came together, united, and stood against the flames,” he recounted.

He stressed that this extraordinary effort was more than just a firefighting operation:
“What we did that night wasn’t just extinguishing a fire. We protected the land, the trees, and the future of the villagers. I thank each and every one of you for your hands, your labor, and your hearts in this sacred duty.”

Full Support from the Union: “Taking Responsibility is Priceless”
At the breakfast, Uğur Nazlıoğlu, President of DİSK General-İş Union Branch No. 7, also addressed the workers, emphasizing that municipal employees had gone beyond their routine duties and acted with a strong sense of social responsibility.
“As our country struggles with forest fires and various political and social developments, you have always stepped up. Whether it’s earthquakes, floods, or fires, you’ve always been at the forefront under the leadership of our mayor,” he said.

Nazlıoğlu concluded by highlighting the importance of taking a stand and embracing responsibility in such times:
“This awareness and sense of social responsibility are our greatest strength. As your union, we thank each of you for your honorable stance. We must continue to grow this spirit of solidarity.”