Evaluation of the preparation of Tokat province Niksar district municipal Fire Directorate for disaster and emergency

The increase in disasters and emergencies in our country in recent years has brought the duties, competence, and importance of fire departments in disasters and emergencies to the public's attention. Elazığ earthquake of 24 January 2020, Aegean Sea earthquake of 30 October 2020, floods and debacles in Giresun Dereli district on 22 August 2020 as well as in Rize and Artvin provinces on 21 July 2021, forest fires that started in Manavgat on 28 July 2021 district and affected numerous provinces, and floods and debacles affecting the provinces of Bartın, Kastamonu, and Sinop on 1 August 2021 has led to physical, social and economic losses. In these disasters, fire departments of many provinces assumed important roles in response efforts under the coordination of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey (AFAD) within the scope of the Turkey National Disaster Response Plan (TAMP). This thesis study aims to evaluate the preparedness of fire departments for disasters and emergencies in the context of the Fire Department of Niksar District in Tokat Province. Questionnaire and observation methods were used in the study. The survey was performed with 25 of the 30 staff working at Niksar District Municipal Fire Department. The study does not comprise the entire population but 83.33% of it. The number of staffs, the vehicles, materials, and equipment of the Niksar Municipality Fire Department were examined and evaluated through observation method as per the Municipality Fire Brigade Regulation. According to the participants, the most important type of disaster threatening the Tokat region is earthquakes, with a rate of 92%. The rate of participants who received training on basic disaster information and rescue operations is 84%. However, as for the distribution of disasters and emergencies in which the participants took part in the response, no participant has been involved in the earthquake response operations before. The rate of participants finding their physical strength / physical condition sufficient in responding to disasters/emergencies is 64%. In order to minimize the loss of life and property in disasters, fire departments should be brought to a sufficient level in response to all kinds of disasters and emergencies in terms of staffing, vehicles, materials, and equipment.