İnegöl debris site becomes K9 search and rescue training hub

An artificial debris site in the İnegöl district of Bursa has been transformed into a specialized training center for K9 search and rescue teams. Provided by the İnegöl Municipality, the site allows teams to simulate various disaster scenarios, such as building collapses and earthquakes, to ensure dogs are prepared for diverse environments.

The training involves the İnegöl Natural Disaster Search and Rescue Team (İNDAK) and attracts participants from various Turkish provinces, including Trabzon, Aydın, Eskişehir, and Sakarya. Additionally, a K9 team from Russia has participated in the exercises to expose their dogs to different rubble conditions.

İNDAK President Eyüp Köksal emphasized that continuous training is vital for professional disaster response. He noted that exposing dogs to different environments prevents them from becoming overly accustomed to a single specific site. Training for AFAD qualification exams is a rigorous process, often requiring approximately 1.5 years of disciplined preparation.