For an effective Emergency Management structure, companies should regularly identify and analyze the potential disaster risks in the areas where they operate. In addition to risks such as earthquakes, fires, and floods, human-induced risks must also be evaluated. Risk analyses should be data-driven and carried out using scientific methods. These analyses should assess both the current situation and possible future scenarios.
We would like to get to know you better, Mr. EREN. Could you share your educational background and the transition from education to your professional career?
I graduated from the Middle East Technical University’s Civil Engineering Department in 1975. After graduating, I began my career in 1975 as a Project Control Engineer at the State Hydraulic Works. After one year of working as a civil servant, I moved on to professional positions as a site manager within projects, project manager, and eventually served as general manager in two prominent companies in our sector. Since 1996, I have been a partner and the Vice Chairman of the Board of Göçay Construction Contracting and Trade Inc.
From 2002-2004, I served as Vice President of the Turkish Contractors Association (TCA), the umbrella organization of the sector. Subsequently, between 2004-2011, I served as TCA President, Vice President of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK), and from 2004-2014, as the President of the International Contracting Services Council of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
After a ten-year break, I have once again been entrusted with the same responsibilities by the sector. I currently continue to serve as Chairman of the TCA, President of TOBB’s International Contracting Services Council, and Vice President of DEİK.
The Turkish Contractors Association (TCA), founded in 1952, holds great significance for Turkey due to its contributions to the national economy and social life. Could you summarize the journey of the Turkish Contractors Association since its establishment?
The Turkish Contractors Association was founded in 1952 by educated contractors with the aim of disciplining the construction sector and bringing Turkey’s urban development to world standards. Since its inception, the association has continued to function as a pioneering and umbrella organization for the Turkish construction sector. It maintains its role as a civil society organization, where only construction companies that adopt specific standards, ethical values, and scales can become members. The TCA has also kept pace with and applied international developments in the construction sector while collaborating with public institutions related to the industry.
In its early years, TCA members undertook major infrastructure and superstructure projects domestically. However, starting in the 1970s, they began focusing on international projects as well. Since 1972, beginning with Libya, Turkish contractors have completed significant projects abroad and have undertaken over 12,000 projects in 137 countries. The total value of these projects has exceeded $515 billion. TCA continues its efforts to ensure its members remain competitive internationally, sustain their presence in existing markets, and discover new ones, engaging in cooperation agreements with various counterpart organizations.
Turkey is a country prone to natural disasters, and a major earthquake is expected in Istanbul in the near future. Could you talk about the importance for companies to raise disaster risk awareness and internalize Emergency Management as a corporate culture, starting from the Chairman of the Board down to all management levels and employees, in order to mitigate the risks of natural and human-made disasters, including fire and life safety risks?
Due to Turkey's geological structure, it is a high-risk country for earthquakes, and the effects of a potential earthquake in major cities like Istanbul could be very severe. Therefore, increasing disaster risk awareness and integrating emergency management into the company culture is of critical importance.
For a company to be prepared for disasters, it must address not only its physical infrastructure but also the awareness and response capability of its employees. Thus, emergency management strategies must be adopted from the Chairman of the Board to all levels of management and employees.
Disasters pose a serious threat to business continuity. Companies need to develop plans that allow them to continue operating with minimal disruption during emergencies. These plans should cover everything from protecting IT infrastructure to ensuring supply chain continuity. Moreover, companies are responsible for the safety of their employees and customers, which is not only a legal obligation but also a social responsibility. By acting with this awareness, companies can inspire public confidence and protect their reputations. This can be achieved by ensuring that employees are prepared for disasters through internal training and regular drills. Training programs should cover topics such as fire safety, first aid, and emergency evacuation procedures.
In high-risk areas like Istanbul, raising disaster risk awareness and making emergency management a societal norm is crucial for both protecting human life and ensuring operational continuity. Therefore, all company leaders and employees must internalize this awareness and work together to act in unison.
How aware are corporate companies regarding disasters? What are your recommendations for establishing an effective Emergency Management structure, with middle and senior managers capable of managing potential risks that could hinder a company’s sustainable growth objectives systematically and based on data, before those risks turn into actual threats?
The level of awareness among corporate companies regarding disaster preparedness and emergency management varies from sector to sector and company to company. However, in general, we can say that large and corporate companies tend to be more aware in this area. These companies take steps to manage potential risks systematically and based on data to achieve their sustainable growth goals. That being said, as I mentioned earlier, the responsibility of public institutions and local governments for planning and rigorous inspections plays a crucial role.
“The level of awareness among corporate companies regarding disaster preparedness and emergency management varies from sector to sector and company to company. However, in general, we can say that large and corporate companies tend to be more aware in this area.”
For an effective Emergency Management structure, companies should regularly identify and analyze the potential disaster risks in the areas where they operate. In addition to risks such as earthquakes, fires, and floods, human-induced risks must also be evaluated. Risk analyses should be data-driven and carried out using scientific methods. These analyses should assess both the current situation and possible future scenarios. Naturally, preparing scenarios is not enough; the company should provide relevant training and support them with various drills. The recent earthquakes in our country have once again highlighted the critical importance of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations). Therefore, it is essential to work closely with NGOs to mitigate all types of risks.
Fire engineering is still in its early stages of development in our country. Could you provide information on risk-based, performance-oriented fire engineering in the international projects undertaken by TCA members?
Fire engineering is a developing but highly significant field in Turkey's construction sector. As members of the Turkish Contractors Association (TCA), we strive to implement safety protocols in international projects that meet global standards. In this context, risk-based performance fire engineering has become an integral part of our projects.
Performance-based fire engineering goes beyond traditional designs by scientifically assessing how buildings will respond to fire scenarios and how fire safety will be ensured. This allows us to develop solutions tailored to the unique conditions and risks of each project, going beyond mere compliance with fire codes. Particularly in international projects, we implement engineering solutions that meet the highest safety standards in line with local regulations.
As TCA, we encourage innovative approaches like this in our members' projects, especially in large-scale structures and infrastructure projects, emphasizing the importance of these techniques. Our goal is to ensure the highest level of safety in both the structural integrity of our projects and the protection of human life.
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