Being a volunteer is a reflection of the desire to help others, which activates the deepest emotions in a person’s heart. At this point, National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) volunteers are the epitome of this beautiful feeling. They are each a story, a source of life and a light of hope.
At the moment of a disaster, as sirens echo, there is a society lost in uncertainty and fear. That moment is a reminder of how precious life is. However, in this chaos, UMKE volunteers stand out with their courage. As individuals who are trained and prepared for emergencies, they run to the field for vital missions away from their loved ones.
Volunteers do not only provide health services; they give people hope and support. They know how precious it is to extend a hand and a smile in the darkest moments. The fear in the eyes of the wounded can sometimes be erased with just a warm word. UMKE volunteers strive to provide this warmth; they say to the wounded, “We are with you, we will overcome this difficulty together”.
Each volunteer has a different story that is a part of life. Some are students, dreaming of becoming a future doctor or nurse. Some are businessmen, leaving everything they own and running to the field. Others are retired, determined to spend the rest of their lives helping people. Each of them comes together with a spirit of self-sacrifice, strengthening each other and leaving their mark on people’s lives.
After a disaster, one of the most common challenges faced by UMKE volunteers is the trauma experienced by the injured. Overcoming this trauma is possible not only through medical intervention but also through psychological support. Volunteers listen to the wounded and try to make them forget the pain of the past. Sometimes a conversation, sometimes a coffee, sometimes a smile touches the hearts of the wounded.
And perhaps the most touching part of the work is that these volunteers work only for humanity, without expecting anything. They rush to the field like heroes, but in reality, they are ordinary individuals lost in life. They sacrifice their families, their jobs and their daily lives to save someone else’s life.
UMKE volunteers are not just a team, they are like a family. They come together in difficult times and support each other. Because they know that when each of them leans on the other’s shoulder, they will stand stronger. They cry together, they laugh together; they show what it means to share life.
In conclusion, UMKE volunteers are true heroes who give hope to society and save lives. They are reborn every day, burn in every pain and smile in every happiness. The stories of these people who do not give up in the face of life’s difficulties leave a mark on all our hearts. They are stars who not only provide healthcare services but also show the most beautiful face of humanity.
Life Saving Heroes in the Field: UMKE’s Emergency Response Activities
The frequent occurrence of natural disasters in our country increases the importance of emergency management day by day. In this process, the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) draws attention with its dedication in the field. UMKE saves many lives with its rapid response during and after disasters.*
Fast Response in Emergency Situations
Natural disasters and emergencies all around Turkey make the work of the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) in the field even more meaningful. The team aims to save the lives of the injured by instantly intervening in incidents such as earthquakes, floods, fires and traffic accidents. UMKE aims to intervene at critical moments with first aid applications at the scene and to deliver patients to health institutions as soon as possible.
Trained and Equipped Teams
UMKE is a structure established since 2004 to provide health services in disasters. UMKE units in each province quickly organize themselves in the event of a disaster and take part in the field with their trained and equipped teams. Team members continuously improve themselves in emergency management, first aid and psychological support through regular trainings.
A UMKE team leader said, “It is very important to think and intervene quickly during a disaster. As a team, we must be prepared for any situation at any time”, emphasizing the challenges they face in the field.
Cooperation and Coordination
UMKE works in close cooperation not only with its own teams but also with other emergency units. In times of disaster, they act in coordination with AFAD, fire brigade and security forces and carry out an effective intervention process in the field. This cooperation ensures that vital health services are provided quickly at the scene.
Success Stories
Examples of successful interventions carried out by UMKE during the recent earthquakes show how effective the teams are. The teams reached the injured people trapped in the rubble and provided both physical and psychological support. In such incidents, UMKE not only provides health services but also instills morale and motivation in the injured.
The Role of Volunteers
UMKE also has a large network of volunteers. After receiving training, volunteers take part in operations organized by UMKE together with professional teams and play an active role in the field. Volunteers have a great contribution both in terms of raising public awareness and providing support in times of crisis.
Assurance of Society
The National Medical Rescue Team has become an indispensable structure in disaster management in our country with the fast and effective interventions it provides. Their self-sacrificing work in the field not only saves the wounded, but also contributes greatly to the safety and health of society. With the motto “Saving lives”, UMKE continues to stand by society at all times and under all circumstances.
Technical details
The National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) is a structure that plays a critical role in emergency management and disaster response in Turkey. Established in 2004 by the Ministry of Health, UMKE is organized to provide rapid access to health services for injured and sick individuals during natural disasters, accidents and other emergencies.
Purpose and Tasks
The main purpose of UMKE is to provide fast and effective healthcare services in disasters and emergencies. For this purpose, the team undertakes the following tasks:
- Emergency Health Services: To provide first interventions to the wounded during and after the disaster and to ensure their safe transfer to hospitals.
- Training and Preparedness: Raising disaster awareness in the community, training volunteers and improving the competence of UMKE personnel.
- Coordination: To cooperate with other emergency teams (AFAD, fire brigade, security forces, etc.) to carry out a coordinated response process during a disaster.
- Rapid Response: To provide first aid and medical support by rapidly reaching the disaster area.
Structure and Organization
UMKE is organized on a provincial basis throughout Turkey. Each province has a UMKE unit and these units are equipped with the necessary equipment and training to respond quickly to emergencies in their respective regions. In addition, UMKE volunteers are also an important part of this structure; they work together with professional teams in disaster situations.
Equipment and Vehicles
UMKE teams are equipped with vehicles and equipment specifically designed for use in disasters. These include ambulances, search and rescue vehicles and mobile health units. Equipment includes first aid supplies, medical devices and communication tools.
Training and Development
UMKE organizes various programs to ensure that its personnel receive continuous training. These trainings cover topics such as first aid, emergency health services, psychological support and disaster management. In addition, regular trainings are also organized for UMKE volunteers, thus creating a human resource to provide professional support in case of a disaster.
The National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) plays a critical role in Turkey’s disaster management. With its rapid response capability, trained personnel and effective coordination capability, UMKE successfully fulfills its mission of saving lives and providing health services in times of disaster. With its efforts to increase disaster awareness and preparedness in the society, UMKE stands out as an important structure in Turkey’s health and emergency management.
