'AKUT Volunteers' Are Ready for All Conditions with Their Search and Rescue Training!

Category: ENERGY AGENDA - Date: October 22, 2025

AKUT Search and Rescue Association, Türkiye's first search and rescue NGO, prepares volunteers for all kinds of emergencies with online rescue training. In 2025 alone, 3,402 volunteers participated in training on emergency response, safe working, technical rescue, and awareness-raising, and theoretical and practical training ensures preparedness for any situation.

Since its inception , AKUT Search and Rescue Association has supported search and rescue operations in major disasters both in Turkey and globally. The foundation of its success lies in online search and rescue training. Following an orientation period, the training, which allows volunteers to gain experience in a wide range of areas, offers both theoretical and practical training. In 2025, 1,903 volunteers participated in 78 online training sessions, while 1,499 volunteers participated in hands-on training.

Training begins with orientation

Barış Altan Doğan, Chairman of the Board of AKUT Search and Rescue Association, explained that the purpose of AKUT's online training is to inform volunteers about general topics and then provide theoretical training before the practical training they will undertake. He said, "We first offer volunteers who become members an orientation seminar that includes information about the association's introduction and operations. This is followed by information and orientation presentations on basic disaster awareness, followed by disciplinary and ethical regulations. After this, the basic training process begins. These training courses include Basic Communication, Personal Protective Equipment, Basic Fire Theory Training, and Basic Camping Theory Training. These training courses are mandatory for every volunteer. After this stage, specialized training begins. After Basic Camping Practical Training, which is the foundation of all training, volunteers are required to complete a series of training courses based on their desired rescue branch(es)."

Volunteers are prepared for every condition with step-by-step training

Doğan , noting that AKUT training is divided into different areas to meet different needs, shared the following: “Our training is divided into five categories: Nature Search Training, Rope Rescue Training, Urban Search and Rescue Training, Flood/River Search and Rescue Training, and Winter Search and Rescue Training. We frequently encounter these main categories in processes where more than one of these categories is implemented within the same operation. Furthermore, within all operational branches, but particularly in urban operations, there may be subtopics specific to disasters or accidents. In addition, our other core training includes Emergency Response Training, Safe Working Training, Technical Rescue Training, and Awareness Training. This diversity allows us to equip our volunteers for all conditions and ensure they are prepared for every possible situation.”

Published by: Alperen ERTAŞ- [email protected]