Fighting Anthropogenic Forest Fires: Implications from Forest Fires in the Mediterranean Region

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the variables affecting forest fire response management, identify the difficulties encountered, and develop solutions. In the study, semi-structured interview technique, which is a qualitative research method, was used. The data obtained within the scope of the study were analysed by thematic analysis method. A purposeful sampling method was used within the scope of the study, and in-depth interviews were conducted with eleven firefighters who responded to the Mediterranean region fires in 2021. In the analyses made within the study's scope, four themes were revealed: coordination, source and spread factors, response reactions, and institutional roles. As a result of the study, it was seen that the participants often associated their past forest fire response experiences with the concepts of helplessness and inexperience due to a lack of training, equipment, and personnel. As a result of the analysis showed that the most common cause of forest fires in the region was the human factor, and the most serious problem encountered in the intervention was the lack of coordination. Within the scope of the study, it is recommended that professionals make the coordination the awareness of the local people, which constitutes the majority of the volunteer capacity, about forest fire precautions, and the voluntary firefighting system should be activated and included in the response system, especially in areas with high fire risk.

Keywords

• Firefighter
• Forest Fire
• Mediterranean Region
• Response
• Qualitative

Antropojenik Tehlike Olan Orman Yangınlarıyla Mücadele: Akdeniz Bölgesi Orman Yangınlarından Çıkarımlar

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, orman yangınlarına müdahale yönetimini etkileyen değişkenleri ortaya koyarak karşılaşılan güçlükleri tespit etmek ve çözüm önerileri geliştirmektir. Çalışmada, nitel bir araştırma yöntemi olan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniği kullanılmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında elde edilen veriler tematik analiz yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında amaçlı örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmış ve 2021 yılında Akdeniz bölgesi yangınlarına müdahale eden on bir itfaiyeci ile derinlemesine görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında yapılan analizlerde koordinasyon, kaynak ve yayılım etmenleri, müdahale tepkileri ve kurumsal rollerden oluşan 4 tema ortaya konulmuştur. Çalışma sonucunda katılımcıların geçmiş orman yangını müdahale deneyimlerini sıklıkla eğitim, ekipman, araç ve personel yetersizliği kaynaklı çaresizlik ve tecrübesizlik kavramları ile ilişkilendirdikleri görülmüştür. Yapılan analizler sonucunda bölgede çıkan orman yangınlarının en yaygın sebebinin insan faktörü olduğu ve müdahalede karşılaşılan en ciddi sorunun koordinasyon eksikliği olduğu görülmüştür. Karşılaşılan sorunların çözümü için koordinasyonun profesyonellerce yapılması, gönüllü kapasitesinin büyük çoğunluğunu oluşturan yerel halkın orman yangını önlemleri ile ilgili bilinçlendirilmesi, özellikle yangın riski yüksek bölgelerde gönüllü itfaiyecilik sisteminin aktive edilmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• İtfaiyeci
• Orman Yangını
• Akdeniz Bölgesi
• Müdahale
• Nitel

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