Research Article

Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study

Volume: 12 Number: 1 January 25, 2026
TR EN

Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study

Abstract

This study was conducted using a modified Delphi method to identify the core skills and measurement parameters required for search and rescue teams responding to flood disasters. Through two Delphi rounds and a final consensus meeting with 30 experts from the fields of disaster medicine, search and rescue, UMKE, AFAD, and educational technologies, consensus was achieved on 93 skills and measurement indicators. The findings revealed that effective flood disaster response requires not only technical competencies but also critical operational capabilities such as incident site management, personal safety, intra-team communication, and coordination. In particular, first aid skills related to hypothermia, drowning, and trauma management emerged as priority areas, aligning with the most common medical complications observed during flood events. Conversely, lower consensus was reached on advanced rope systems and complex water-crossing techniques, highlighting the need for training curricula to focus on practical, context-appropriate, and field-applicable skills. This study makes an original contribution by presenting a systematically developed, evidence-based list of skills and measurement parameters specific to flood disasters, which has been largely absent in the literature. Furthermore, the identified parameters can be integrated into the training curricula of institutions such as AFAD, UMKE, and AKUT, enabling standardized, objective, and replicable performance evaluation in disaster exercises. In addition, the integration of these parameters into simulation-based immersive training environments, including virtual and mixed reality applications, as well as AI-driven learning analytics, has the potential to enhance training quality and support the personalized and evidence-based disaster preparedness programs.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Natural Hazards

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 25, 2026

Submission Date

October 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 1

APA
Kokoç, M., Gündüz, A., Şimşek, P., & Akyıldız, S. (2026). Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study. Doğal Afetler Ve Çevre Dergisi, 12(1), 216-231. https://doi.org/10.21324/dacd.1812625
AMA
1.Kokoç M, Gündüz A, Şimşek P, Akyıldız S. Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study. J Nat Haz Environ. 2026;12(1):216-231. doi:10.21324/dacd.1812625
Chicago
Kokoç, Mehmet, Abdulkadir Gündüz, Perihan Şimşek, and Salih Akyıldız. 2026. “Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study”. Doğal Afetler Ve Çevre Dergisi 12 (1): 216-31. https://doi.org/10.21324/dacd.1812625.
EndNote
Kokoç M, Gündüz A, Şimşek P, Akyıldız S (January 1, 2026) Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study. Doğal Afetler ve Çevre Dergisi 12 1 216–231.
IEEE
[1]M. Kokoç, A. Gündüz, P. Şimşek, and S. Akyıldız, “Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study”, J Nat Haz Environ, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 216–231, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.21324/dacd.1812625.
ISNAD
Kokoç, Mehmet - Gündüz, Abdulkadir - Şimşek, Perihan - Akyıldız, Salih. “Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study”. Doğal Afetler ve Çevre Dergisi 12/1 (January 1, 2026): 216-231. https://doi.org/10.21324/dacd.1812625.
JAMA
1.Kokoç M, Gündüz A, Şimşek P, Akyıldız S. Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study. J Nat Haz Environ. 2026;12:216–231.
MLA
Kokoç, Mehmet, et al. “Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study”. Doğal Afetler Ve Çevre Dergisi, vol. 12, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 216-31, doi:10.21324/dacd.1812625.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Kokoç, Abdulkadir Gündüz, Perihan Şimşek, Salih Akyıldız. Core Skills and Assessment Parameters for Disaster Response Training in Flood Rescue Teams: A Delphi Study. J Nat Haz Environ. 2026 Jan. 1;12(1):216-31. doi:10.21324/dacd.1812625