As part of the fire prevention month this year with a theme, “Sa pag-iwas sa sunog, hindi ka nag-iisa,” the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Valenzuela conducted a Fire Olympics which was participated by about 120 fire volunteers in Valenzuela City, held at Wellness Entertainment Sports (WES) Arena, Barangay Punturin, March 29. 

Liga ng mga Barangay President and Councilor Jonjon Bartolome led the opening of the competition and lit the cauldron symbolizing the start of the Fire Olympics 2023. Six (6) groups of fire volunteers from several barangays in Valenzuela competed to win 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.

After a series of activities and challenges, the Barangay Mapulang Lupa Fire Brigade successfully brought home the championship trophy.
In line with this, here is the rundown 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

The purpose of the competition is to strengthen the camaraderie and intensify efforts to produce proactive personnel with appropriate preparedness during fire incidents in the city. Moreover, because March is the season when fire occurrence is rampant, it also touches on the importance of people being prepared and equipped to avoid greater casualties.

In his short remarks, Mayor WES Gatchalian commended the hard work of the firemen and conveyed his appreciation for their untiring service to the people. He said, “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.” [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). I felt their dedication for their work. They message me quickly and our response to the fire speeds up].

Currently, 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.

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