BAK Receives AFAD Accreditation Badge, Inspires Confidence with Its Capabilities

The Bornova Municipality Search and Rescue Team (BAK) successfully completed the AFAD accreditation process and received its “Urban Search and Rescue – Light Level Team” badge at a ceremony held in Konak Square on February 6, 2026. The badge ceremony and the equipment promotion stand attracted significant public interest, while Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized that BAK is one of Bornova’s most important safeguards against disasters.

After a long and meticulous preparation process, the Bornova Municipality Search and Rescue Team (BAK) successfully completed its accreditation as an Urban Search and Rescue Light Level Team. At the ceremony held in Konak Square on February 6, 2026, the badge pinning for BAK was conducted by Governor of İzmir Süleyman Elban.

Strong Public Interest in the Badge Ceremony and Promotion Stand

The Bornova Municipality stand set up at the ceremony area, where search and rescue equipment was displayed, attracted great interest from citizens. Debris search and rescue tools, personal protective equipment, and camp and logistics supplies were introduced to visitors. Information was also provided about BAK’s scope of duties and the roles it will undertake during disasters.

Mayor Eşki: “Disaster Preparedness Is Not a Choice, It Is a Responsibility”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki stated:

“The most important lesson taught to us by the February 6 earthquakes is that disaster preparedness is an unavoidable responsibility. As Bornova Municipality, we did not only establish our Search and Rescue Team; we transformed it into a trained, well-equipped, and accredited structure. BAK is Bornova’s assurance against disasters.”

A Process That Began with Training, Crowned with Accreditation

As part of BAK’s establishment and accreditation process, the team received training from instructors of the İzmir AFAD Search and Rescue Unit Directorate in April and May 2025. The training covered debris search and rescue, disaster awareness, basic firefighting, navigation, communication, basic camping, and first aid. These trainings were supported by practical drills conducted at AFAD’s debris training site.

Drills, Camps, and the Examination Process

Following the trainings, equipment procurement and the preparation of personnel and team application documents were completed, and a search and rescue base was established at Sağlık Köyü. BAK participated in the AFAD Accredited Teams Regional Camp in Selçuk and took part in numerous drills, including the Manisa Earthquake Drill. In November 2025, document checks, base inspections, equipment controls, and practical drills conducted by an AFAD-appointed examination committee were successfully completed, finalizing the accreditation process.

Bornova Strengthens Its Institutional Capacity Against Disasters

The process, which officially began with the application to İzmir AFAD on July 30, 2025, was crowned with the badge ceremony on February 6, 2026. With BAK, Bornova Municipality has further strengthened its institutional capacity for disaster preparedness, taking another significant step toward rapid and organized emergency response.