Eskişehir Fire Department Underwater Rescue Team Prepares for the Summer Season

The Underwater Search and Rescue team, affiliated with the Eskişehir İtfaiye Dairesi Başkanlığı, continues its rigorous training programs without a break in order to ensure the safety of the public. This professional team, also known as the 'Frogmen', recently conducted a comprehensive drill in the Sakaryabaşı region of the Çifteler district. In these trainings, where realistic scenarios are applied, the divers repeatedly practiced basic diving skills, underwater navigation, buoyancy control, and search and rescue techniques both theoretically and practically. The team is working intensively to maximize both their physical and technical capacities. Such regular trainings enable them to be fast and effective in emergency responses, which increase especially during the summer months.

Drowning cases show a significant increase across Eskişehir with the arrival of the summer months. Fire Chief Tacettin Duman points out that there is a serious rise in the number of incidents occurring in the Porsuk Çayı, irrigation canals, dams, and ponds during June, July, and August. Duman states that their teams act with a great sense of responsibility, adding that they are ready for duty twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with their expert staff of 11 personnel. He adds that they respond to an average of 10-12 cases annually, but this number multiplies during the summer season. For this reason, the team constantly keeps their equipment and training processes up to date, trying to be prepared for all possible emergencies.

Due to the fact that underwater search and rescue operations are an extremely challenging and risky task, team members are carefully selected on a voluntary basis. Fire Chief Duman emphasizes that despite these difficulties, they continue their efforts uninterruptedly to provide the best service to the public. He states that they aim to increase their strength with the addition of two new divers who recently completed the necessary courses under the supervision of instructors. The fire department clearly states that regardless of how adverse the weather conditions are, the teams are always ready to intervene. With the inclusion of the new divers, the operational capacity and effectiveness of the team will be significantly increased.

Authorities are seriously warning citizens, especially against the hidden dangers posed by the Porsuk Çayı. The thick mud layer found at the bottom of the stream can cause people entering the water to sink and, as a result of this situation, panic and drown. Fire Chief Duman warns families and children, advising them never to enter the water without their parents and strongly discouraging swimming outside of safe areas. Furthermore, citizens are asked to be cautious while walking near the water and to definitely pay attention to the warning signs around. Despite all these precautions, the condition of the Porsuk Çayı remains the biggest source of concern due to the fact that it poses a risk that could lead to fatal consequences in case of carelessness.

Another important factor that complicates rescue operations is the trash and waste irresponsibly thrown into the water. Even though the Porsuk Çayı is regularly cleaned by municipal teams, waste such as bottles and tires thrown into the water create a serious obstacle underwater. The Fire Chief states that these wastes restrict the divers' underwater vision and mobility, jeopardizing the success of the operations. Duman also shares an important detail by recalling an incident where a citizen who fell into the water in Kanlıkavak Park in the early morning hours was saved thanks to a lifebuoy thrown from the shore and the rapid response of the teams. Such incidents once again highlight how vital it is to maintain emergency equipment like lifebuoys and to use them quickly when needed.