CamSur hosts 2025 Regional Urban Fire Olympics

By Mary Fe De Vergara and Jerimae Sanchez

With the theme, “Sa pag-iwas sa sunog, hindi ka nag-iisa,” the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Camarines Sur, in partnership with the Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO) of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, hosted the Regional Urban Fire Olympics on March 19, 2025 at Capitol Grounds, Cadlan, Pili as part of the Fire Prevention Month Celebration.

Participants from Albay, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur competed against each other in three categories: BFP Personnel, Industrial/Company, and Community Fire Auxiliary Group (CFAG) to test their agility, strength, and quick thinking in fire suppression drills, search-and-rescue operations, and disaster response exercises, highlighting their readiness for high-pressure scenarios.

“Sa ngayon po, hindi lang tayo nandito para ipakita ‘yung galing, lalong-lalo na sa ating mga provincial teams na kasali today. We are here today to celebrate unity. We are here today to celebrate the dedication of men and women, lahat ng magigiting na kawani ng BFP, kasama na po ‘yung iba nating partners sa paglaban sa lahat ng sakuna, sa paghahanda po sa mga maaaring danasin ng ating mga kasamahan,” shared Crisostomo Rivero, Assistant Department Head of EDMERO CamSur during his speech.

Under the uniformed personnel category, participants competed in the hose and shoulder relay, blitz attack with raising ladder, and rescue and transfer relay. Meanwhile, in the Industrial Division, they competed in rescue and transfer relay, a combination of busted hose and up-the ladder, and fire extinguishment. Lastly, CFAG members participated in hose laying and replacement of busted hoses, bucket relays, and flammable liquid fire extinguishment. The results of the three events were combined to get a hundred percent total score.

FO1 Katrine Fatima Castilla, one of the participants from BFP Bombon shared her experience and preparation before the highly-anticipated event. “Satisfying siya dahil nagbunga naman ‘yung prinactice namin. We also had a training weeks before the event. Nag-exercise kami and have a proper diet,” she shared. She also emphasized that joining the event developed her camaraderie as she met other uniformed personnel from the different provincial teams.

Camarines Sur and Masbate stood out in the competition. Barangay Sagrada of Iriga City claimed the overall championship in the Community Fire Auxiliary Group (CFAG) category, while Masbate’s DMCI Power Corporation led the Industrial division. CamSur also secured another title, with its Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) team emerging as the Top Uniformed Personnel.

Beyond the competition, the activity tested fire personnel’s efficiency and teamwork, aligning with BFP and CamSur’s mission to enhance disaster preparedness. It also reaffirms the longstanding collaboration of the Provincial Government and the Bureau of Fire Protection.