QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --Barangay Mapulang Lupa Fire Brigade successfully brought home the championship trophy at the newly concluded citywide Fire Olympics as part of the fire prevention month.

The event with the theme“Sa pag-iwas sa sunog, hindi ka nag-iisa” was organized by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Valenzuela was partici[pated by some 120 fire volunteers in the City, and held at the Wellness Entertainment Sports (WES) Arena in Barangay Punturin on March 29, 2023.

The annual competition aims to strengthen the camaraderie and intensify efforts to produce proactive personnel with appropriate preparedness during fire incidents in the city.

Moreover, March being Fire Prevention Month, the activity stressed on instilling the importance of people preparedness  and equipped with the necessary skills to avoid loss of lives and properties.

Six (6) groups of fire volunteers from several barangays in Valenzuela competed in this year’s Fire Olympics Championship.

Participants consisted of individuals from VCDRRMO (Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office), DIRREC (Disaster Relief Rehabilitation Committee), Mechanic Fire and Rescue Volunteer - Barangay Ugong, Barangay Gen. T. De Leon Fire Volunteers, Barangay Mapulang Lupa Fire and Rescue Brigade, and Barangay Veinte Reales Fire Brigade.

Following is the list of the awards and special recognitions given to the winning partakers:

·         Mapulang Lupa Fire Brigade - Champion

·         Mechanic Fire and Rescue Volunteer - 1st Runner-up

·         Gen. Tiburcio De Leon Volunteer - 2nd Runner-up

Recognitions per event/activity:

·         Mechanic Fire and Rescue Volunteer - House and Carry-in-Shoulder Relay

·         Veinte Reales Fire Brigade - PPE Donning and Doffing

·         Mapulang Lupa Fire Brigade - Blitz Attack

·         Mapulang Lupa Fire Brigade - Tug of War

During the event, Valenzuela City ayor WES Gatchalian commended the hard work of the firemen and conveyed his appreciation for their untiring service to the people.

“Palakpakan po ninyo ang inyong mga sarili. I have one good reason at ‘yan po ay ang ating mga Fire Marshalls (BFP). Alam niyo po, kahit madaling araw ay up-to-date po ang mga messages nila sakin (tuwing may fire incident). Naramdaman ko po ang kanilang dedikasyon para sa kanilang trabaho. Mabilis po ang kanilang pagme-message sa akin at mabilis po ang ating pagresponde sa sunog,” Mayor Gatchalian said. [Please applaud yourselves. I have one good reason and that is our Fire Marshalls (BFP). You know, even in the early morning, their messages to me are up-to-date (whenever there is a fire incident)

Valenzuela City has existing fire volunteers who have been serving the residence since then – they are called Bantay Sunog. They are the extended arm of the local government that plays a significant role when additional workforces are needed in putting out fires or maintaining an orderly and controlled emergency situation. (pio Valenzuela/pia-ncr)