REFLECTIVE ESSAY ON BURSA TRIP

With going to the Bursa AFAD simulation center, I had an experience to improve my
disaster management in this class and my future class. In addition to learning new things, it
was also a reminder for me over what I already knew about Disaster management.

What I was most afraid of and curious about was the earthquake simulation. Although we
were told what to do and I knew that the earthquake was not real, I had a hard time making
two so-called easy commands, such as protecting the head and holding onto something. Erciş-
Van earthquake imitation was exhausting both emotionally and psychologically. Hearing that
woman's screams and walking that street, I can say that it was the closest moment for me to
experiencing an earthquake. Now I know better what kind of scene I will face after an
earthquake.

The fire simulation was the second simulation I was most affected by. Watching the
firefighter's video, I was thinking at which stage I could put the fire out. Until the person who
vocalized the video said the fire could only be noticed when the fire was so large that one
person could not extinguish it. That is, in the event of a fire in the classroom, it is compulsory
to direct the students out of the fire, without attempting to extinguish the fire.

I have almost experienced gas poisoning when I was little. The furnace gas that I
accidentally turned on made me numb and made my head headache. I thought I was sleepy
and went to bed. Luckily my uncle came home, noticed the situation and ventilated the house,
nothing happened to me. I know very well that this “sneaky death”, which adults can hardly
even notice, is even more dangerous for children. Because they may not understand how
dangerous gas can be.

The most important thing I learned on this trip is that we are very small and powerless
against nature. We have no choice but take strict measures, and the only thing we can do is
minimize the loss. Especially 72 hours after the earthquake, learning how to survive without
help is a necessity. I will transfer these disaster management skills to my future class.
Hopefully, I'll never have to use these skills.

A.Büşra ÖZDOĞAN