The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will hold the 9th National Fire Olympics (NFO) from March 25 to 27 for all its units in 17 regions of the country.
In a statement, the BFP said the event will have three main challenges, one of them is the Life Extrication Challenge comprised of four rescue situations: Vehicular Extrication, Confined Space Rescue, Breaching Wood Surface and Lifting and Stabilizing Heavy Loads and Victim Extrication.
BFP athletes are also expected to compete in Rope Rescue Techniques Challenges that aim to demonstrate participants performing rappelling, ascending and use of systems in assessing, treating and transferring the victim to safety while observing safety protocols and simulation of a real-life rescue scenario responding to a worker suspended in a fall arrest harness.’’
The NFO event also includes the “Toughest Firefighter Challenge comprised of four categories; Individual Challenges for a male and female players, Team challenge, and the Tug of War which has become one of the standard games in the NFO in the recent years.’’
The “Toughest Firefighter Challenge’’ tests the strength and physical stamina of the participants while in full PPE, completing tasks in an endurance course that includes hose drag and rolling, hose carrying and hoisting, ladder carry through tunnel, taking the victim to safety, Keiser Force Machine Challenge and the SKED (sled and skid) Drag test.
Launched in 2015, the NFO was held annually until 2020 when it took a hiatus for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It resumed its run in 2022 onwards and was held in Davao City, Cebu City, and last year, Baguio City. More than a skills competition, being held this year in Clark, Pampanga, the NFO is set to display the region’s rich culture, identity, and hospitality of Central Luzon,’’ the BFP noted.
BFP spokesperson Senior Supt. Annalee Atienza explained that the 9th National Fire Olympics is an exhibition of the burning passion of the bureau for public service in saving lives and properties.
With incessant efforts in the performance of their sworn duty, Atienza stated that the 38,000 strong men and women of the BFP are in unison continuously advocating fire safety and emergency preparedness for a safer nation by 2034.