Disaster training center to be established in Erzurum

ERZURUM - Doğan News Agency

Hürriyet photo

Turkey’s Search and Rescue Association (AKUT) is establishing a major training center for increasing the public’s awareness of possible natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and fires, in the Eastern Anatolian province of Erzurum.

“The training center will be set up on an area of 2,176 square meters, which has been assigned by the National Real Estate Directorship to AKUT for 49 years. In addition, the training center will be constructed with a donation of one million dollars by the EU,” said Prof. Dr. Bingür Sönmez, head of the Sarıkamış Solidarity Group.

“Several architecture and engineering firms are giving completely voluntary service for the design of this building. When designing the internal and external structure of the building, AKUT paid attention to the house architecture of Erzurum and its traditional lifestyle,” Sönmez said.

The aim of the new center is to train students from Erzurum Atatürk University on disaster aid and management.

“The building will have advanced technology to save and refine water from snow and rain. After the application of the building license, the center will be put into service before the end of the next year,” Sönmez said.