ICER top at 2012 Rescuelympics

March 27 to 28, 2012 in line with Fire Prevention Month the Bureau of Fire Protection Region VI (BFP-R6) held the Fire Olympics with participants from other BFP Provincial Stations and other Rescue Groups within Western Visayas (Region-VI) at SM City Parking Area grounds, Mandurriao in the City of Iloilo.

Two teams represented the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction Management (CDRRMO) under the banner of the Iloilo City Emergency Responders (ICER). Team One is composed of ICER Staff (Julney Bandojo, Cherry May Baro, Jovan Conlu, Zynie Dignadice, Windy Chares Gabayeron, Reynaldo Robles, Luben Villarino, Benson Kenneth Yap) and Team Two composed of ICER Volunteers (Mary Junillee Araño, Alle Ssan Jovero, Katrina Angelica Mana-ay, Eric . . . Randy Gino, John, Christian Gudaca, Dionel Sison, Stephanie Natividad, Roee Salvilla).

Most of the participants volunteered themselves to join the team to represent ICER. Everyone was dedicated and eager to give their best even during practice until the actual event. Bloopers and blunders were some of the things unavoidable and most to be learned from. Practice scenarios differ every day (take note: everyday was practice day for two weeks until the day of the event), for the participants it was worth the wait. In every scenario one vital lesson learned and never to be forgotten is teamwork and cooperation.

Personally, this is what each member of ICER, Staff and Volunteer can feel, bonding between each member forged by sacrifice: sweat, blood, life and limb. Someone once asked me “Why do you people run into danger while others are running out?” John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” As a Christian, no higher expression of love could be given but the utmost extent of love we can demonstrate by giving ourselves and lay our life down for others so that others may live. In real life situation other than just the textbook and practice scenarios even when we evaluate the “Scene is Safe” there is always some dangers that lurks somewhere.

The Fire Olympics was an event not only to commemorate the Fire Prevention Month but also to show the appreciation for the values firefighters place in every society and also recognizing other responders (EMS, Rescue Personnel) cooperating with the BFP in each and every situation where their services are of importance for the good of the society. It was an experience one to remember especially during the awarding ceremony on March the 30^th when Team Two (Volunteers) was declared champion and Team One (Staff) bagged 1^st-runner up. 

(Brother Bear)