Specially trained search and rescue dogs within the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department undergo rigorous and meticulous training to reach victims trapped under debris in disasters. Having successfully passed the difficult exams organized every two years by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), 6-year-old Belgian Malinois dogs Asil and Bety and Labrador Magie, who are also siblings, perform miracles in disaster areas thanks to their sensitive noses. These talented dogs proved to be an indispensable part of search and rescue teams by saving the lives of dozens of people during the Izmir and Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
Sensitive Noses Save Lives
These three special dogs, affiliated with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department Search and Rescue Branch Directorate, are subject to a comprehensive training program in order to reach survivors in the fastest way possible in various disaster situations such as earthquakes, fires and floods. These sensitive-nosed heroes, who successfully passed the exams implemented by AFAD and repeated every two years so that they can work in difficult conditions after natural disasters, play a vital role in search and rescue operations where time is a race. Asil and Bety, twin sisters who received special training from the Fire Department, have achieved many important successes to date. Another favorite member of the search and rescue team, the labrador breed Magie, also stands out with her talents and determination.
“Success Rates Are Very High”
The dogs are given intensive training in four main categories: orientation, agility, obedience and most importantly, search and find skills. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department Search and Rescue Branch Manager Şenol Dereköy emphasized that these dogs are specially selected and that not every dog can complete this challenging training. Dereköy said, “Not every dog can do the tasks given in these trainings. They are very valuable and important to us as the vanguard. Our dogs are indispensable. Search and rescue is done with technological devices and human power, but only to a certain extent. Due to their abilities, dogs work in a way that will get quick results in minutes. The faster we can reach the victim, the better for us. Their success rates are very high. Working with them is also very enjoyable for us. They are a part of us.”
“It is important for them to have hunting instinct”
Search and Rescue Directorate Dog Trainer Mesut Karaboğa stated that they meticulously train the dogs they adopted when they were two months old. Emphasizing that they pay attention to various criteria when choosing dogs, Karaboğa said, “Does it have fear, is it sensitive to sound, does it have instinct? Our priority is for dogs to have hunting instincts. We care about this. Everything starts with a game. Over time, we get them used to the smell of people. We teach them the smell of living people. We train them for about two years. After the training is over, they take the search and rescue exams organized by AFAD. When they reach the required score in the exams, they receive a certificate. Thus, they can work in disasters, especially earthquakes. They worked in the earthquakes in İzmir, Hatay and Antakya. They saved many citizens.”
“We are their companions”
Karaboğa, who stated that they work in harmony with the dogs, said, “We are their companions. We work together. We work together to save people in the debris. We rejoice together when they find someone. Because they are our teammates. Saving a person, touching a life is priceless. When we go to an incident, they give a signal by barking when they reach the victim. We also notify the search and rescue teams. We are happy when we receive the reward of our efforts. We share the happiness on people’s faces. Bety saved a pregnant woman in the Hatay earthquake. We will continue to collect beautiful stories together.”
“Dogs Must Have”
Dog Trainer Hakan Hasan Hüseyin Şengüler also emphasized how meticulous and careful the training processes are, and expressed that dogs are of vital importance in search and rescue operations. Şengüler said, “Dogs must definitely be in search and rescue operations. We don’t know what technology will bring in the future, but for now, these dogs are necessary.” These heroic dogs of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department continue to be a symbol of hope in disasters.
