By Ron Cervantes

24 April at ODB Gym Sta. Rita, Bulacan, NLEX Corporation commenced its first ever Rescue Olympics in celebration of the ESH (Environment, Safety, and Health) Week organized by the Compliance and Business Excellence Department. This inaugural event aims to measure the endurance, teamwork, and dedication of the Emergency Response Teams (ERT) assigned for the three office compounds of the company: Caloocan City (OMC), Guiguinto, Bulacan (ODB), and Mabalacat, Pampanga (TOCB).

The momentous event was attended by the NLEX Corp. President and General Manager, Mr.  J. Luigi Bautista, the Vice President for Operations, Ms. West Dionisio, and the ERT Commander, Mr. Richard Nicanor Carlos. To fully assess the skills of the rescuers in this tournament, they were joined by firefighting professionals from the Bureau of Fire Protection – Region 3 Guiguinto Fire Station, FINSP Joselito Sunga, and F01 Grace Ann Belluga.

The program officially started with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron led by Mr. Pio Tumpang of HRAD who acted as the torchbearer. 

The Rescue Olympics consisted of five obstacle courses that exhibited the actual emergency response practices of ERT to challenge them on the brisk and proper execution.

First, one representative per team was challenged to do the Donning and Doffing of the Fireman’s Suit and SCBA, testing their prompt dress and undress of Personal Protective Equipment or PPE during firefighting incidents.

Second, three individuals did the relay of Hose Throwing and Rolling. This obstacle course aims to test their strategies for throwing, unrolling, and rolling the water hoses in the fastest way they can.

Third, they dared to perform the series of Fireman’s Carry in different variations, the One-Man’s Carry, the Two-Man’s Carry, the Three-Man’s Carry, and the Group-Man’s Carry. Tactics and speed were also involved in this relay of actions on how they were supposed to carry victims away from danger.

Fourth, Fire Suppression using the portable fire extinguisher was also part of the competition. After the victims-carry relay, they faced the task of suppressing the scorching fire on a container followed by hopping through the series of car tires.

And lastly, at the end of the obstacles, each ERT did the Water Relay. With multiple buckets, strategy, and teamwork, they filled a halved-cylinder tank up to the required water level.

After doing all the obstacles to finish the track they ran onto the stage, signaling the blast of party popper to officially stop the timer. The team who did the trail the fastest won the competition.

This thrilling and nerve-wracking event ended with the announcement of winners. Team Balintawak led by Mr. Alex Eblacas as their captain triumphed the 1^st Place, followed by Team Dolores led by Mr. Roy Milaflor in 2nd Place, while Team Sta. Rita led by Mr. Michael Petillo got the 3rd Place.

“Syempre, nung nakita namin yung mga kalaban na madami sila, competitive yung personality, at malalaki, feeling namin (na) underdog kami kaya kinabahan kami dahil feeling namin matatalo kami kasi nakita namin ang advantage (nila).. (Pero) naging motivation namin yun para ipanalo yung kumpetisyon…” said by Mr. CJ Alfonso, the youngest member of the winning team.

“Wala sa amin na makipaglaban, ang sa amin ay magawa nang tama yung mga obstacles kung saan magagamit namin yung knowledge (namin)…” added by Mr. Paeng Roque who did the Donning and Doffing of Fireman’s Suit for Team Balintawak.

It was a praiseworthy event that made employees anticipate it to recur every year. It is just wonderful that the unsung heroes of NLEX who were ready to offer their lives to ensure the safety of their fellow took the main stage and hailed with their skills.

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