Challenging Disaster Training for Healthcare Workers in Kars, Ardahan, and Iğdır

Healthcare professionals working in the provinces of Kars, Ardahan, and Iğdır underwent comprehensive UMKE and ambulance driving safety training under challenging terrain conditions to prepare for disasters and emergencies.

Scope of the Trainings and Participants

A 3-day UMKE training was held at a campsite established in the Susuz district with the participation of 17 volunteer healthcare workers consisting of nurses, midwives, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics.

The multi-day ambulance driving safety training, attended by 21 personnel from Kars, Ardahan, and Iğdır, was organized in the city center of Kars.

UMKE and Field Applications

During the UMKE training, theoretical and practical information was provided to healthcare workers on operating in disasters and emergencies, scene organization, teamwork, and intervening in casualties.

Within this scope, practices such as rescuing casualties from debris, intervention in narrow spaces, setting up emergency response units, and responding to CBRN incidents were carried out.

Challenging Terrain and Driving Safety Studies

In the studies conducted under challenging terrain conditions, healthcare personnel experienced the processes of reaching injured and missing persons, performing initial interventions at the scene, and evacuation.

In the ambulance driving safety training, emergency ambulance maintenance technicians, emergency medical technicians, and driver personnel were taught safe driving techniques under different road and weather conditions.

Evaluations by Authorities

Provincial Health Director Specialist Dr. Arif Eker stated that they organize such trainings to keep the knowledge of drivers up to date under all kinds of terrain conditions.

Provincial Ambulance Service Chief Physician Dr. Ubeydullah Şahin emphasized that time is critical in emergency health services and noted that safety is as important as speed in driving.