In the championship featuring heroic firefighters from the Istanbul Fire Department, personnel demonstrated their physical and professional skills at the highest level. Competitors engaged in a fierce race against the clock on a demanding course comprising tough physical obstacles as well as carrying and rescue stages.

Mr. Remzi Albayrak, Head of the Istanbul Fire Department, along with regional directors, attended the event and shared in the personnel's excitement. The management team closely followed the action, offering their support and remaining with the staff throughout the competition.

The Champions Are Announced
Following the high-paced competition, the individuals and teams that placed in the top ranks were as follows:

Women's Category:

• 1. Zeycan Aydın

Men's Category:

• 1. Osman Karcı

Team Category:

• 1. Pendik Group
• 2. İSAK (Underwater Search and Rescue)
• 3. Fatih Group

At the awards ceremony held after the competitions, trophies and medals were presented to the top-ranking individual competitors and teams by Mr. Remzi Albayrak, Head of the Istanbul Fire Department, and the regional directors. The program concluded with a group photo and well-wishes for continued success.

Following the cemetery visit, a Mevlid-i Şerif (religious ceremony) was held for our martyrs at the Firefighter Martyrs Mosque located in our Fatih Fire Station.

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

You can access full details regarding the necessary documentation, current fee schedules (calculated per square meter based on building classes), exemption criteria, and payment stages on our official website.

For detailed information, please visit our "Fire Safety Measures (Fire Department Report) Procedures" page.

Firefighters of the Year

• Central Firefighting Branch Directorate
  Mustafa Kirez
• European Side Firefighting Branch Directorate
  Aşkın Aydoğan
• Anatolian Side Firefighting Branch Directorate
  Tarık Özay
• Emergency Aid and Rescue Directorate
  Uğur Sezer Aydın

Our Head of Fire Department provided a briefing to the Governor, who expressed his pleasure at the visit and extended his congratulations to the firefighters on Firefighters' Week. Following the visit, the Governor once again congratulated the fire department—whose members perform their duties with great dedication—on Firefighters' Week and wished them continued success.

"We Are Proud of Our Heroes"

Expressing his pleasure at the visit, the IMM President emphasized that the Istanbul Fire Department is one of the most established and powerful firefighting organizations not only in Turkey but in the world. The IMM President stated, "I congratulate all our firefighting heroes—who serve 24/7 at the risk of their lives and stand on the front lines during every disaster and emergency—on Firefighting Week. We will continue to stand by our personnel at all times by strengthening our technological infrastructure."
The meeting concluded with a commemorative photograph taken of the IMM President and the firefighting delegation together.
Public events aimed at raising awareness about fire safety across the city will continue throughout the week.

The program began with a demonstration by the K9 Search and Rescue team, followed by a display illustrating how both the traditional *Tulumbacılar* and modern firefighting teams respond to fires, using a miniature wooden building set up in the square. First, the firefighting methods of the *Tulumbacılar* from bygone eras were visually demonstrated; arriving at the scene with a piston-operated manual pump, they proceeded to extinguish the fire by pumping water. The "Tulumbacılar"s performance received thunderous applause from the audience.

Following the "Tulumbacılar", modern firefighting teams conducted a drill demonstrating their own fire response techniques. Citizens and tourists gathered in Sultanahmet Square watched the demonstrations with great interest and applauded enthusiastically.

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Contact information:
Address: Zafer Mahallesi Atatürk Caddesi No: 28, Bahçelievler

Tel: 0212 402 8212
E-mail: itfaiyebaca@ibb.gov.tr

Following a moment of silence and the National Anthem, speeches delivered by Mr. Erdal Celal Aksoy, Deputy Secretary-General of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), and Mr. Remzi Albayrak, Head of the Fire Department, highlighted the successful execution of challenging duties by our 312-year-old, well-established organization. The ceremony, attended by Mr. Metin Alper (Head of the Municipal Police Department) and our firefighting personnel, concluded with a commemorative photograph.

Throughout the week, training sessions on fire safety and disaster awareness will be conducted in various city squares using mobile training units, and the firefighting tradition—bridging the past and present—will be showcased to the people of Istanbul through ceremonies featuring historical "tulumbacı" (traditional hand-pump firefighter) reenactments.

Additionally, the Edirnekapı Firefighter Martyrs' Cemetery and the families of fallen firefighters will be visited to honor their cherished memories. As part of the program, the "Firefighter and Personnel of the Year Award Ceremony" will be held to recognize staff members who have distinguished themselves through exceptional dedication.

Drawing strength from its 312-year heritage, the Istanbul Fire Department continues to serve on duty 24/7. Fulfilling the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Istanbul's residents with great devotion, our organization moves confidently toward the future.

On this occasion, we celebrate the 312th anniversary of our distinguished organization and wish all our colleagues a safe and successful tenure.

The Istanbul Fire Department is celebrating its 312th anniversary. Our organization, which works 24/7 for the well-being of Istanbul’s 16 million residents, is coming together with citizens through events scheduled for September 21–25, 2026.

Our Focus: An Istanbul That "Prevents" Rather Than Just "Extinguishes"

We will be out in the field with our training vehicles at key squares on both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul (Eminönü, Üsküdar, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy, Bakırköy, Maltepe, Beylikdüzü, Tuzla, Taksim, and Ümraniye). Through free awareness training sessions held between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, our teams will explain—in practical and clear language—the immediate actions to take during emergencies, all without causing panic.

Strength Rooted in History, Technology Advancing into the Future

Our deep-rooted heritage—spanning from the traditional *tulumbacı* (historical manual fire brigades) to today’s cutting-edge technology—is coming to the public squares. We are keeping our traditions alive with the "Historical Tulumbacı" ceremony to be held at the historic Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, Sultanahmet, and Bakırköy; meanwhile, a special event in Sultanahmet will once again showcase the operational speed of our modern fire department alongside these historical figures.

A Tribute to Our Heroes

As emphasized by our Head of the Fire Department, Remzi Albayrak, the foundation of this century-long trust lies in the dedication of our firefighters, who perform their duties at the risk of their own lives. As a reflection of our institutional sense of gratitude, the families of our cherished martyrs will be visited throughout the week; on Friday, our heroes will be commemorated with prayers during a memorial ceremony and a *Mevlid-i Şerif* (religious service) at the Edirnekapı Firefighters' Martyrs' Cemetery. Meanwhile, our valued colleagues who have demonstrated exceptional dedication in the line of duty will be honored with "Firefighter of the Year" and "Staff Member of the Year" awards. Additionally, a visit to the Firefighting Museum in Beşiktaş will be organized to refresh our organization's visual history.

We would be honored to welcome all residents of Istanbul to our events. ISTANBUL FIRE DEPARTMENT 312th ANNIVERSARY EVENT PROGRAM

Monday, September 21, 2026:

10:00 – Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Taksim Republic Monument

11:00 – Public Awareness Training via Mobile Training Units (European Side: Eminönü Square | Anatolian Side: Üsküdar Square)

13:30 – Visits to the Families of Fallen Firefighters

14:00 – Historical *Tulumbacı* (Traditional Firefighter) Ceremony (Historic Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar)

Tuesday, September 22, 2026:

10:00 – Public Awareness Training via Mobile Training Units (European Side: Sultanahmet Square | Anatolian Side: Kadıköy Square)

13:30 – Visits to the Families of Fallen Firefighters

14:00 – Performances by *Tulumbacıs*, Modern Firefighters, and the *Mehteran* (Janissary) Band (Sultanahmet Square)

Wednesday, September 23, 2026:

10:00 – Public Awareness Training via Mobile Training Units (European Side: Bakırköy Square | Anatolian Side: Maltepe Republic Square)

14:00 – Historical *Tulumbacı* Ceremony (Bakırköy Square)

Thursday, September 24, 2026:

10:00 – Public Awareness Training via Mobile Training Units (European Side: Beylikdüzü Square | Anatolian Side: Tuzla Coastal Park)

10:30 – Firefighter of the Year and Staff Member of the Year Award Ceremony (Fire Department Headquarters)

13:30 – Visits to the Families of Fallen Firefighters

Friday, September 25, 2026:

10:00 – Awareness Training via Mobile Training Units (European Side: Taksim Square | Anatolian Side: Ümraniye Bazaar)

11:00 – Visit to the Firefighters' Martyrs' Memorial (Edirnekapı)

12:00 – Recitation of the *Mevlid-i Şerif* (Religious Commemoration) for Fallen Firefighters (Firefighters' Martyrs' Mosque / Fatih)

13:30 – Visits to the Families of Fallen Firefighters

14:00 – Visit to the Firefighting Museum (Yıldız Neighborhood, Çitlembik Slope / Beşiktaş)

Note: Awareness training sessions using mobile training units will be conducted continuously between 10:00 and 17:00 at the specified locations and squares.

After the initial intervention by our firefighting personnel, two citizens who sustained minor injuries were handed over to medical teams and transported to the hospital. Based on statements from local residents, we conducted a meticulous search-and-rescue operation—involving our K-9 units—to locate two individuals who were potentially in the debris area; this operation has now concluded.

Detailed sweeps revealed no one trapped under the rubble, and our teams concluded their operations at the site after implementing the necessary safety measures.

Both Exercise and Motivation
The event began with a brisk nature walk amidst the forest's unique scenery. Following the walk—organized to alleviate occupational stress, strengthen bonds between staff, and reinforce team spirit—the participants enjoyed breakfast together. During the cheerful breakfast gathering, firefighters stationed at various locations had the opportunity to chat and share their experiences.

"We Are Ready for Duty at Any Moment; This Event Was a Great Morale Booster"
Firefighters participating in the event expressed that such activities help them shake off the intense stress and physical fatigue associated with their profession. Noting that this day spent immersed in nature served as a wonderful source of motivation, these heroes stated they would return to their posts—ensuring the peace and safety of the people of Istanbul—feeling revitalized and energized.

The event concluded successfully following the group commemorative photos.