Competition tests firefighters’ skills By Davinci S. Maru Sunday, March 30, 2014 THE skills of firefighters were put to the test yesterday in the first Regional Fire Olympics Championship. During the whole-day competition conducted by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 7, FO2 Zylbeth Cortes stood out. She was the only female participant in the male-dominated competition. She hails from Larena, Siquijor. “I want to show to the public that women can also do the jobs of men no matter how dangerous,” she told Sun.Star Cebu. Skills Senior Supt. Maria Luisa Hadjula, BFP 7 director, said the event enhances the skills and stamina of firefighters. “Mas extensive ang programa natin this year para ma-test talaga sila. This is the best of the best,” she said. She said the previous Fire Olympics were all at the provincial level. The Provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor and the City of Lapu-Lapu were the participating teams. Each team was composed of twelve firefighters. There were seven activities during the Olympics, which is the culmination activity for the Fire Prevention Month. It was held at the grounds of Cebu Business Park. Activities The activities were busted hose replacement relay; rescue relay, where firefighters transport injured victims; hose unrolling/rolling; church-up the ladder; tug-of-war; self-contained breathing apparatus’ and relays. The recognition of winners and awarding of prizes will take place today at the Talisay City Hall. Trophies and cash will be awarded to the winning teams. Cortes joined the hose unrolling/rolling competition. Cortes has been in the service for seven years, and is the first female firefighter in the Province of Siquijor. She serves as the public information officer and lecturer in Larena Fire Station. She have had her own share of accidents on the job. “Kuyawan pud ko pero dapat kalma lang ug dili mag-panic para mabuhat sa sakto ang akong mga buhatonon (You should stay calm and not panic),” she said. Service Cortes said she has been urging women to join the service and not be afraid of the risks. All-female crew “Hopefully, gusto nako makit-an nga all lady firefighters ang mag-man sa fire truck (I hope to see an all-female firefighting crew someday),” she said. At 33, Cortes has four children. Her husband works as a municipal engineer in Siquijor. She spends her rest days with her children and doesn’t find difficulty juggling career and motherhood.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 22:55:48 +0000
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