Community Based Observational Neighborhood Hazard Analysis Training for Disaster Mitigation: Kocaeli Example

Abstract

Individuals who form a society should be assessed part of disaster management before, during and after disaster and they must be brought to the top level of knowledge and skill to managing of disaster. This article explains the practices of observational neighborhood hazard analysis training that is part of "Kocaeli Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Training" project. This project is carried out jointly by Kocaeli University, Kocaeli Provincial Disaster and Emergency Directorate and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality. Until now, 3 training were organized and 415 neighborhood disaster volunteers including clergyman, teachers and local local community representatives were trained in project. Increasing the community's sensitivity to disaster mitigation is one of the most important parts of a successful disaster management. The purpose of this practice, called Observational Neighborhood Hazard Analysis, is to enable residents to act on the solution by ensuring that they are aware of the current situation of disaster risks in their settlements. This practice is recommended as an important method for decision makers in disaster mitigation that the individuals are a solution stakeholder rather than disaster victims.