In these training sessions, we provided participants with information on the definition of fire, the use of fire extinguishers, and proper behavior and response methods in the event of a fire.

Following an enemy occupation lasting 4 years, 10 months, and 23 days, Istanbul was liberated on October 6, 1923, by the Turkish army under the command of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The 102nd anniversary of Istanbul's Liberation was celebrated with a ceremony held at the Republic Monument in Taksim. The ceremony, attended by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, General Bahtiyar Ersay, Commander of the 1st Army and the Istanbul Garrison, and Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan, began with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem. Gül, Bahtiyar, and Aslan then laid a wreath at the Republic Monument on behalf of their institutions. Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan read the message he had written in the Memorial Special Book.

"SERVING ISTANBUL IS OUR GREATEST HONOR"

In his message for the notebook, Nuri Aslan wrote, "I wholeheartedly celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the liberation of Istanbul, entrusted to us by Mehmed the Conqueror, from enemy occupation. Dear Istanbul remained under occupation for a full four years, 10 months, and 23 days until the 3rd Corps under the command of Şükrü Naili Pasha entered Istanbul on October 6, 1923. The occupation of Istanbul inflicted deep wounds on the heart of our nation. As a result of the honorable struggle for independence by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades, this great suffering our nation experienced came to an end. I commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, our heroic martyrs, and our veterans with mercy and gratitude. I bow respectfully before their cherished memories. It is our greatest responsibility to protect Istanbul, which they liberated from occupation with their blood and lives, and to provide the best service to this magnificent city. To Istanbul." "Serving is our greatest honor. May Allah not let this beautiful city and this noble nation experience such great pain again. Happy October 6th, the Liberation of Istanbul from Enemy Occupation."

Following the message, awards were presented to the students who won the citywide painting and poetry competition. The ceremony concluded with a recital by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mehter Band.

While there was material damage, no injuries or fatalities occurred.

IMM Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan, IMM Secretary General Volkan Demir, and Fire Department Director Remzi Albayrak inspected the scene and met with students.

A HUNGARIAN WHO DEDICATED FORTY-EIGHT YEARS OF HIS LIFE TO ISTANBUL:

Szechenyi Pasha

Szechenyi, one of the renowned fire department managers who successfully extinguished the largest fire of the 19th century in Budapest and whose fame became known throughout the capital, sheds light on the fire department's 52 years of service, including four years in Budapest and 48 years in Istanbul. His knowledge and experience are illuminating today. Odön Szechenyi, the younger son of Count Istvan Szecheny, known as the Great Hungarian Patriot, was born in Bratislava on December 14, 1839. Szecheny also wrote the first Hungarian Firefighting Vocational Book. This work, titled "General Experiences Gained in Firefighting," was published in 1864. Szecheny supported the idea of ​​establishing a National Fire Brigade, and the union, founded in 1871, elected him president.

Ödön Szecheny's fame spread throughout the capital, where he and his firefighting team successfully managed the largest fire of the era in Budapest. At the invitation of Sultan Abdülaziz, Szecheny came to Istanbul in 1871 and began establishing and training the military fire department. Believing he would have only one year to complete this work, he planned to take over the fire department in Budapest upon his return home. However, when Sultan Abdülhamid II granted him the rank of Pasha in 1877, he resigned from his post in Hungary and remained director of the Istanbul Fire Brigade until his death on March 23, 1922.

The incident caused material damage, but there were no injuries or fatalities.

Following the visit to their graves, the Mawlid al-Sharif was recited for our martyrs at the Fire Martyrs' Mosque located at the Fatih Fire Station.

We remember all our martyrs, especially our firefighters, with respect, gratitude, and mercy.

Firefighters of the Year:

Central Fire Department
Deniz Sarpkaya

European Side Fire Department
Tuncay Sivri

Anatolian Side Fire Department
Ahmet Açıkel

Emergency Aid and Lifesaving Department
Mehmet Uzun

Following a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, Mr. Remzi Albayrak, Deputy Secretary General of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Head of the Fire Department, delivered a speech emphasizing the successful performance of our 311-year-old organization's challenging duties. The ceremony, held alongside Metin Alper, Head of the Municipal Police Department, Selçuk Korkmaz, Head of the Support Services Department, and our fire department personnel, concluded with a commemorative photo.

Throughout the week, training sessions on fire safety and disaster awareness will be held in various squares across the city using mobile training vehicles. The firefighting tradition, which extends from past to present, will be shared with Istanbulites through historic firefighters' ceremonies.

Furthermore, the Edirnekapı Fire Department Cemetery and the families of martyrs will be visited to commemorate cherished memories. As part of the program, our personnel who stand out for their outstanding efforts will be recognized at the "Firefighter and Personnel of the Year Award Ceremony."

The Istanbul Fire Department, drawing strength from its 311-year history, continues to be on duty 24/7. Our organization, which fulfills its responsibility to protect the lives and property of Istanbulites with great dedication, moves forward with confidence.

On this occasion, we celebrate the 311th anniversary of our illustrious organization and wish all our colleagues healthy working hours.

The Inter-Institutional Dragon Boat Festival was held at Maltepe Orhangazi City Park. Forty teams competed fiercely during the two-day festival, and the Istanbul Fire Department Dragon Team overcame challenging stages, competing in the most challenging final stage, the sport category, and finished fourth. At the end of the event, all winners were awarded trophies, medals, and various gifts. The festival hosted various stage shows, dance performances, and DJ performances in conjunction with the boat races. Participants and visitors had the opportunity to both exercise and have fun.