13
As UNDP team, we witnessed the round-the-clock challenging tasks of the firefighters at Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department's Station in central Antakya. And how well-equipped emergency intervention and firefighting vehicles could create a difference in public services in the southern province of Turkey, Hatay, where the existing capacities were already deficient, with the ongoing Syria crisis now in its eight year. It was a sunny December afternoon in Hatay, a city most famous with its culture, gastronomy and architecture; being the cradle of many civilisations in the past. The province has always been famous when it comes to the very rich culture of living together, respect for others and tolerance, putting the region a must see place and experience for visitors, tourists and travellers.
A candid ceremony was just held at the forecourt of Hatay Municipality Central Fire Station. Both Turkish and European Union (EU) flags were waving, just beside the United Development Programme (UNDP) banners. Firefighting vehicles were decorated and placed one next to another, with young crew members explaining us how the equipment works in which emergency situation. Members of the Municipality, public officials and other people from the Metropolitan Firefighting Department were making sure that everything was proper and ready, before the arrival of the Mayor for the delivery ceremony of the newly purchased and equipped vehicles.
We were excited to be part of something important, not exactly witnessing before what a fully equipped firefighting vehicle meant; when it comes to emergency intervention situations. Neither of us got stuck in car, desperately waiting to be rescued from a squeezed metal after a serious accident. None of us had waited in that bunch of battered metal for hours, despite the help had arrived, but there was no proper equipment at the intervening emergency vehicle; such as cutting machines, or hydraulic clippers. Nor had we rushed onto a rooftop and waited for help during a fire incident, but the fire ladder was short, so the help meant nothing because we were beyond reach and thus, saving.