Use of Military Units in Natural Disasters and DAFYAR Plans

Laws

 -Law No. 5902 on the Organization and Duties of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency

 -Law No. 7269 on Measures to be Taken and Assistance to be Provided in Case of Disasters Affecting Public Life - Civil Defense Law No. 7126 

-Law No. 2945 on the National Security Council and the Secretariat General of the National Security Council

 -Law No. 2941 on Mobilization and State of War

 -State of Emergency Law No. 2935

According to the Regulation No. 88/12777 on the Principles of Emergency Aid Organization and Planning for Disasters issued in accordance with the Law No. 7269, local organization and assignment for disasters are as follows 

a. Provincial Emergency Aid Organization In provinces, under the chairmanship of the governor or the deputy governor to be appointed by the governor; - Mayor, 

- Provincial Gendarmerie Commander,

- Police Commissioner, 

- Director of Civil Defense,

- Director of National Education, Youth and Sports, 

- Director of Public Works and Settlement,

- Health and Social Welfare Director, 

- Director of Agriculture,

- Forest Management Director, 

- Red Crescent Representative,

 - A Provincial Rescue and Emergency Assistance Committee consisting of the garrison commander or the highest military representative of the locality shall be established. 

b. District Emergency Aid Organization; In districts, under the chairmanship of district governors 

- Mayor,

- District gendarmerie commander, 

- Police chief/superintendent,

- District defense director/officer,

- The property manager, 

- District national education, youth and sports director,

- Representative of the Directorate of Public Works and Settlement, 

- Supervisor of one of the health institutions in the district designated by the district governor,

- The head of the Red Crescent,

- A "District Rescue and Relief Committee" consisting of the garrison commander or representatives of the largest military unit in the locality is established.

When the capability of the Armed Forces to respond to natural disasters is examined, it consists of five structures: intellectual potential, institutional readiness, communication, cooperation and activities in the disaster area. The statistical findings of the researches have shown that the structural modeling of the response capabilities of the armed forces is reliable.

TAF's Organizational Structure for Natural Disasters: 

As a result of the needs arising after the Kocaeli and Düzce Earthquakes;

As a result of the needs arising after the Kocaeli and Düzce earthquakes, an Earthquake Research Group was established within the Department of Construction and Real Estate of the Ministry of National Defense, and a battalion-level search and rescue unit was established with the decision to establish and develop special search and rescue units required by the Turkish Armed Forces in major disasters. This unit, which was attached to the Special Forces Command of the General Staff, was well trained and equipped to carry out effective search and rescue operations in the aftermath of earthquakes, floods, fires, avalanches and rock falls, and disasters of nuclear, biological and chemical origin. In addition, the search and rescue teams established by the Air, Naval and Gendarmerie Force Commands had the capacity to serve in all kinds of extraordinary conditions both at home and abroad. A Natural Disasters Search and Rescue Board was established within the "Intelligence School and Training Center Command".

Depending on the extent of the area covered by the disaster, Disaster Regional Commands were organized at the brigade level at the province/district level. Disaster Regional Commands reorganized their units into natural disaster relief brigade/battalion/company in accordance with the natural disaster mission and made the necessary planning.

Disaster Regional Commands were planning to use their brigades as a whole in natural disasters. In order to rapidly respond to any sudden natural disaster, a battalion was assigned as a Natural Disaster Assistance Unit (DAFYAR) by the brigade commands. 

According to the DAFYAR plan, military units had the means and capability to cooperate with PTT, DSİ, Red Crescent, Highways and similar organizations to provide assistance to the public. These units would fulfill their duties according to the principles of Article 112 of the Internal Service Law, which was organized in accordance with Law No. 7269. In the organizational structure created in line with these principles;

Natural Disaster Regional Commander: In order to ensure the coordination of the assistance to be provided by the TAF, the commander of the unit to be assigned by the Army and Corps Command (equivalent commands in the Navy and Air Force) responsible for the region, according to the disaster relief plan. 

Natural Disaster Secondary Regional Commander: The most senior unit commander for each disaster sub-region assigned by the disaster region commander for the purpose of coordination of relief activities and ensuring security and public order according to the size of the region subjected to natural disaster and whose number and boundaries are determined by taking into consideration the administrative needs.

Provincial Rescue and Relief Committee: According to Law No. 7269, under the chairmanship of the governor, a committee consisting of the mayor, garrison commander or his representative, provincial defense secretary, provincial gendarmerie commander, police chief, health, public works, veterinary, technical agriculture, national education, youth and sports, provincial zoning directorates and local Red Crescent president. 

Land Forces Natural Disaster Coordination Center: In case of natural disasters, it is a center that is established with the declaration of "B" state of readiness in the Land Forces Command, and that directs and manages the humanitarian aid operations carried out in the natural disaster area. 

The Land Forces had developed a "Disaster Information System", briefly called ABSIS, for domestic and foreign aid following a disaster. The main purpose of this system was to ensure that domestic and foreign aids to be provided were kept in a computerized environment according to their due dates, and that they were delivered to the regions in need. In order to establish the same system, the KKK still has all kinds of facilities at its disposal, which are even more advanced. 

Kocaeli Earthquake

Earthquake Region Logistic Support Base Coordination Center (DBLDÜKM) was established. In addition, "Logistic Support Command Centers (LDKM)" were established in the relevant provinces and districts in the earthquake zone. In addition, a "Humanitarian Aid Reception Center" and a "Humanitarian Aid Forward Reception Center" were established to receive and keep records of foreign aid. Domestic aid collection centers were also established. Through the Disaster Information System, lists of needed materials were computerized and shipped from existing warehouses to the center of need. The Earthquake Region Logistic Support Base Coordination Center was managed by a civil servant and a military personnel working in coordination with each other and served the needs of the disaster regional coordinatorship. 

As a result of the Kocaeli Earthquake, the Turkish General Staff established the Turkish Armed Forces Natural Disasters Search and Rescue Battalion Command to conduct search and rescue activities in Turkey and abroad in all kinds of natural and non-natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires, floods, avalanches, landslides, disappearances, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) and major accidents, and equipped it to international standards. 

The 12 Natural Disasters Search and Rescue Battalions established at that time successfully fulfilled all search and rescue missions assigned to them in all weather and terrain conditions, both at home and abroad, and can perform the same missions with the same precision when reorganized. The number of WAC battalions can be increased according to need, their personnel can be identified and kept ready for duty by completing their training for natural disaster search and rescue with the planning to be made while their duties in their standard organizations continue.

Natural Disasters Search and Rescue Battalion consists of Battalion Headquarters and 3 WAC Units. Each WAC Unit has a Troop Headquarters, Search Dog Section and 6 WAC Teams. The WAC Team consisted of 6 people, including the Team Commander, a Listening and Search Specialist, 2 Rescue Specialists, 2 Emergency Response Specialists. - Upon the issuance of the alarm, they can complete their preparations and become ready to rapidly deploy to the disaster area.

These units established at that time;

- Can operate independently in three different regions according to three different types of disasters.

- They can operate in any environment without the need for any support including transportation.

- They can make the first intervention to the rescued person and evacuate them to the nearest health institution.

- It can communicate with communication means under all conditions. 

- Can perform search and rescue activities in steep rocky and mountainous terrain.

- Can perform search and rescue activities in surface, underwater and flood disasters.

- Can perform search and rescue activities in fire. 

- Can perform parachute and helicopter operations. 

- Perform search and rescue operations in deep snow, avalanches and severe cold. 

- Can provide consultancy in all kinds of search and rescue operations. 

The Natural Disasters Search and Rescue Battalion is equipped with materials and equipment at international standards in order to fulfill its duties effectively. It is also possible to improve the equipment and supplies of these units according to the needs and developing technology.

In addition to its primary duty of homeland defense, the Turkish Armed Forces in Turkey can fulfill important duties and responsibilities in frequent natural disasters.The Turkish Armed Forces should continue to be an important part of the disaster management system at both central and local levels. TAF should be represented in the committees and boards at central and local levels as it was in the past.

Since the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the Turkish Armed Forces, with its well-trained and disciplined troops, has been providing all kinds of support to the communities affected by disasters with its own means and capabilities, both during search and rescue and emergency aid activities. Today, the General Staff, which is the responsible institution within the same framework, has the capability to ensure that the duties specified to be performed by the TAF in the laws, by-laws and regulations related to disasters are carried out and that military emergency aid plans related to disasters are prepared in coordination with the local authorities.

According to the TAF Internal Service Regulation (Art. 709), when natural disasters such as earthquake, fire, flood, landslide, rock fall, avalanche and similar natural disasters occur; 

TAF acts in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 7269 regarding assistance in natural disasters.

In order to prevent further loss of life and property after a natural disaster, to ensure the safety and survival of the rescued and survivors, and to assist other public institutions and organizations in order for life in the disaster area to return to normal in a short time

1. To make the first determinations related to the disaster, to provide emergency communication, to carry out search and rescue activities,

2. To provide emergency first aid, evacuation, traffic regulation and safety, 

3. To help meet the needs of disaster victims for food, clothing, temporary shelter and sanitary treatment/evacuation,

4. It has the possibility and capability to fulfill the tasks of burial of the dead, prevention of epidemics, debris removal and assistance to basic infrastructure services without even receiving external support. 

- Corps Communication Battalions and Brigade Communication Companies can establish all kinds of communication with the facilities they will establish in the disaster area and in cooperation with the CSM Operators operating in our country, they can establish fixed or mobile lighting systems with the generators they have and operate them without any problems.

- Corps Engineering Battalions, Bridging Troops and Brigade Engineering Companies can keep existing roads open, including opening new roads, repair collapsed bridges and culverts, build mobile bridges according to need, support search and rescue activities in wrecks with the construction machinery in their cadres and remove wrecks.

- Brigades can set up mobile bakery units with the Quartermaster Divisions in their cadres and produce bread, while kitchens can be set up and hot meals can be provided within 12 hours at the latest from the moment of arrival in the disaster area. In case their own means are not sufficient, they can also use the ERAY Kitchen units in the Battalions' Cadre and increase their capacities. It can set up mobile bathroom units. It can combine its facilities with the facilities of the Battalions and establish cold climate tents and mobile toilets. It can operate all the facilities it establishes and maintain them for a long time. With the support of superior units, they can help bury the bodies.

- Unfortunately, I have hesitations about the establishment of Field Hospitals due to the closure of Military Hospitals, but again, thanks to the Medical Companies of the Brigades, they can set up separation tents and evaluate the sick and wounded and make the first intervention thanks to the separation teams. Thanks to the ambulance teams (there are at least 12 ambulances in a company), they can bring the sick and wounded taken from the wreckage or the scene of the incident to the separation tents, transport the patient to the nearest health institution, and prevent the disappearance of people and the chaos that may occur by keeping the records of those who come out of the wreckage alive or dead regularly with the registration system it will create and recording where and how they are sent.

- Transportation units within the Land Forces Command can carry out all kinds of transportation and handling operations, including the transportation of large vehicles and construction equipment.

- Maintenance Centers and Maintenance Units can repair, maintain and maintain all kinds of vehicles, equipment and materials in the disaster area.

- Maneuver units can support search and rescue activities thanks to the training provided in peacetime, and can prevent looting by protecting the materials recovered from the rubble with the safety and security system it will establish. It can ensure the security of the region for incoming aid. In coordination with the Earthquake Region Logistic Support Base Coordination Center, it can receive and distribute incoming aid to those in need together with organizations such as KIZILAY and AFAD in the disaster area. Provide security to institutions and organizations distributing aid. In this context, these are the first units to go to the disaster area.

- Traffic and MP units can ensure that roads are kept open and traffic is regulated.

- With Land Aviation units; air resupply can be made to every point where aid cannot reach, patients and wounded requiring urgent intervention can be taken to the relevant health institutions, and support the land troops providing security by controlling the disaster area from the air,

- By controlling the disaster area with UAVs, problematic areas, destroyed buildings and facilities can be identified and Search and Rescue units can be directed. Information can be transferred to the units related to ensuring security and support can be provided.

- Gendarmerie has similar capabilities and capabilities as the Land Forces units. With effective planning, they can be included in this system.

All of the above services are of course possible with effective planning and regular training in peacetime. For this reason, the TAF should review all support plans and determine their readiness. It should be ready for any situation at any time by coordinating with the relevant units of the state who will deliver aid where, when and how. I know that all these organizations exist, their capabilities and capabilities are very high and that the TAF is ready for anything.

The most important thing is that those who govern the state should also be aware of these capabilities and trust their army. It is essential that protocols are updated again, coordination, training and exercises are carried out on a regular basis, and that the local authorities ask the TAF for support in such major activities without wasting time.

This is a time for unity.

Source:

Mutlu TOKMAK KYL-YL-2012-0002 EFFECTIVE USE OF TURKISH ARMED FORCES IN NATURAL DISASTER Aydın-2012