What Happened to the Orange Containers Placed in Each Neighborhood?

After the earthquake disasters that shook the whole of Turkey deeply in 1999, orange containers were placed in every neighborhood, containing tools that would enable the first interventions after the earthquake. What happened to those containers that could save lives?

One of the most talked about issues after the great earthquake disaster that took place on February 6 and affected 11 provinces, was the arrival time of the teams and search and rescue equipment to the earthquake area.

Considered as the most critical hours the fact that sufficient crew and equipment could not reach most of the region due to various reasons in the first 72 hours. It is thought to have cost the lives of thousands of our people. However, this is not the first time we have experienced this. We experienced a similar situation after the earthquake disaster in 1999. It took days for the teams to reach the region, and many of our citizens could not be pulled out from under the rubble.

After 1999, a project was started as a precaution against this painful situation; ‘Every Neighborhood Disaster Station’ (AFIS)

Let’s briefly summarize the project;

  • The project started to be carried out by the Istanbul Governorship in 2002.
  • Within the scope of the project, large orange colored, locked containers were placed in the neighborhoods determined by the District Governorships.
  • Inside the containers were many tools needed for first aid and search and rescue activities.
  • The aim was to rescue as many people as they could by making the first interventions of the locals until the teams reached the area.
  • In addition, urgent needs such as tents, first aid materials and water would be met.
  • Within the scope of the project, steps were taken in 2002-2003 and thousands of containers were placed in hundreds of neighborhoods.

Let’s take a look at the container content, which consists of 38 different materials in total;

disaster station container

  • mobile lighting kit
  • Generator
  • Drill and hammer hilti
  • Hydraulic jack (a device for lifting large loads using low power)
  • Lever iron (A tool used for purposes such as side cutters and levers for opening doors, opening windows, removing nails)
  • Sledgehammer
  • Murc
  • Hammer
  • Spade
  • hand hoe
  • waist ax
  • big pickaxe
  • Wood and hacksaw
  • pipe wrench
  • Fire extinguisher
  • fire blanket
  • debris glove
  • surgical glove
  • Dust mask
  • Helmet with lamp
  • Flashlight
  • handheld projector
  • rescue rope
  • Carabiner (hook)
  • Pulley
  • safety strip
  • warning vest
  • foldable stretcher
  • First aid kit
  • foldable sliding ladder
  • metal gas can
  • Tap water drum
  • Canteen
  • working glasses
  • blacksmith hand scissors
  • Megaphone
  • cold climate tent
  • 250 lt. Water tank

Many of these materials many existed. There was one each for some materials such as a water tank and a tent.

After the project started, there were also critics from different perspectives;

earthquake containers

One of the first criticisms after the project started to be carried out, ‘instead of making cities resilient They are focusing on the rescue efforts from the wreckage. Although it is a correct point of view at one point, it is possible that there will be debris even in a city that is resistant to a very big earthquake.

Consider what happened in the last earthquake we experienced, as there was a lack of equipment despite the volunteers’ arrival… if every neighborhood had a fewmaybe both the residents of the neighborhood and the first teams to help could save more lives…

Another issue that came to the fore at that time was the fact that these containers were placed right next to them. billboards dead. For now, the only source I can find regarding the existence of these billboards is ‘What happened to the earthquake containers?’ written by Mahmut Övür in Sabah newspaper on October 24, 2004. and ‘An earthquake advertising tool?’, which was also written by Övür on October 26, 2004. titled articles.

disaster station

Briefly mentioned in these two articles are as follows; Big billboards were placed next to the earthquake containers. These billboards It’s a multimillion-dollar source of income.. The Governor’s Office, which carried out the project, also received support from the IMM regarding the billboards.

Moreover, containers While there are few in districts such as Zeytinburnu and Avcılar, which have a high earthquake risk, There are many more in districts such as Kadıköy and Beşiktaş… In his article, Övüç mentioned that two years after their launch, containers are slowly starting to disappear.

While these developments were taking place, the governors of Istanbul were Erol Çakır between 1998 and 2003, and Muammer Güler since 2003, while the mayor was Ali Müfit Gürtuna and then Kadir Topbaş.

After discussions and criticisms, cases of ‘theft’ soon began to take place;

inside the disaster station

in containers under the control of the governorship. materials such as generator, hilti started to be stolen. For a while, moves were made, such as relocating the containers as a precaution. However, the solutions were not enough and the thefts continued.

Also, the locals what the containers do, how to open them in case of an earthquake, how to use the materials inside not adequately informed about vital issues such as In other words, a project that will be very beneficial if managed well, it kind of ‘exploded’ due to various inadequacies…

In 2009, the Governorship of Istanbul, with a sudden decision, transferred the containers to the district municipalities;

container

Istanbul Governorship Disaster Management Center, with a decision taken in 2009, all containers has transferred its responsibility and supervision to the district municipalities.. Shortly after the project started, the Governor’s Office shared the information that approximately 2,000 containers were placed in 762 neighborhoods and 173 villages in Istanbul.

However, over the years, containers have been stolen after theft cases. collected in most regions. It is unknown how many of them are still in use today. It is also known that this practice came into effect in different provinces such as Bursa and Kocaeli outside of Istanbul, but unfortunately there is no clear information about their fate.

disaster container

On the official websites of the municipalities of districts such as Sancaktepe, Avcılar and Zeytinburnu, there are some information is available. However, there are many districts in Istanbul where there is no trace of the containers.

From the district municipalities we requested information on the subject. We have not yet received a response as of the time this content went live. If information becomes available, we will update the content with this information.

As a country with many provinces at risk of earthquakes, we need earthquake-resistant cities first, and then social awareness and education projects for disasters. As part of these needs, disaster stations also stand out as lifesavers. Our hope and demand is that all these steps are implemented in order of importance and with a system that relies on science.

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