The CAFI project aimed to establish the first professional Fire Scene Investigation Unit in Türkiye. The primary goal was to enhance firefighters' competencies in determining fire causes and preparing fire reports. By transferring advanced practices from European countries, the project sought to improve the quality of vocational training in the sector. Through the development of a digital learning module, a comprehensive guideline, a Training the Trainers (TTT) program, and open-access materials, the project aimed to create a sustainable and nationally scalable educational model. Through this project, by transferring examples of good practices from the fire brigades of EU countries, the following objectives were pursued: * To minimize the problems encountered following fire interventions, * To examine the causes of fires in detail and maximize preventive measures, * To serve as a role model within Türkiye through the delivery of Fire Protection and Prevention strategies, - To enhance public safety through Community Fire Safety initiatives.
The province of Antalya is Turkiye's fifth-largest city with a population of 2.8 million people. During the summer period, the population of the province becomes 8 million. Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Fire Brigade Department serves 21.109 km ². 57% of this area is covered with forests. The CAFI project was initiated in response to a significant structural gap in post-fire scene investigation in Türkiye. Fire Brigade Departments, particularly in high-risk regions do not have the infrastructure to precisely determine the causes of fires. Although national regulations (Municipal Fire Brigade Regulation) require official fire reports indicating fire causes, most field reports are based on assumptions rather than forensic evaluation. This leads to delays in judicial processes and prevents the development of preventive fire policies. The CAFI project aimed to address these needs by establishing a fire scene investigation unit, developing a professional training curriculum, and adapting European best practices to transfer to Türkiye.