A sociological overview of search and rescue activitieswithin the scope of natural disaster education: Van cityexample

In this study the examination of capacities of searching and rescuing teams within sociological aspect incase of dangers especially earthquake, flood, erosion and beside the other natural sources disasters and mankind or technological made emergencies such as CBRN ( Chemical Biological Radiological and Nucleer) are aimed. This study is also aimed to improve a sociological aspect to capasity of searching and rescuing units of state institutions and organization and nongovernmental organization which conducted searching and rescuing activity since 2011 when two great earthquakes happened in Van and around provinces. The capacities and operation principles and in-company trainings phases, the relationships among of these institutions and organizations which are in Van province are subject of this research. How should Van, which is under the risks of natural and man-made disasters, be in searching and rescuing operation. There are often a lot of natural disasters hapens in Van. So how do these risky factors affect the local people and how can this situation vi be changed into possitive form with some evaluated and planned awareness trainings are the issue of this study. So in order to find whether there is an institutonal reality about searching and rescuing activities in Van province and both national and international searching and rescuing activities form in state institutions, organization and non-governmental organizations or not. Finally all these activities, including local people tranings, compatibility of searching and rescuing activties with accreditations to international standarts of these institutions and organizations are the issue of this study. Keywords: Disaster, Disaster Sociology, Search and Rescue, Natural Disaster, Crisis Management, Van Number of Pages: XIV + 87 Thesis Advisor: Asist. Prof. Fatma GÜNGÖRER