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BODRUM’S LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES AFAD ACCREDITATION EXAM

19.11.2025

Bodrum Municipality has reached an important milestone in strengthening the city’s disaster-response capacity. The municipality’s Light Search and Rescue Team (BAK), operating under the Directorate of Disaster Affairs, has successfully passed the rigorous accreditation examination administered by Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

Established under the municipal vision of creating a “Resilient Bodrum,” the Directorate of Disaster Affairs is one of the leading local-government structures of its kind in Türkiye. BAK, composed of trained municipal staff volunteers, underwent extensive preparation before taking part in the AFAD accreditation exam held in Muğla.

Under the coordination of Bodrum Municipality’s Disaster Affairs Director and BAK Team Leader Kenan Apaydın, the 35-member team was assessed by AFAD exam commissioners under the KAVKAS accreditation system. The evaluation covered deployment procedures, documentation, personal protective equipment, vehicles, tools, equipment and logistical readiness. Following this, the team completed a scenario-based practical test involving activation of the communication chain, mobilisation principles, camp area (BOA) setup, sector-based search and rescue operations, initial medical response, field management and casualty evacuation. The team successfully fulfilled all assigned tasks.

With the practical exam now completed, the official evaluation and certification process is expected to conclude in the coming days. Once formally accredited, BAK will become authorised to participate in national disaster-response operations under AFAD coordination.

Following accreditation, Bodrum Municipality will continue expanding its institutional disaster-preparedness capacity through further training programmes, field exercises and ongoing professional development to ensure the team remains fully equipped and operational at all times.

Mayor Tamer Mandalinci congratulated the team, noting that the municipality will continue advancing its disaster-preparedness efforts through further training and exercises to keep the team ready and dynamic.