Bacolod City is eyeing organizing more community fire auxiliary groups (CFAGs) in the barangays as it observes Fire Prevention Month.

Only 16 out of the city’s 61 barangays have CFAGs, data from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) showed.

Fire Officer 2 Paul Servano, public information officer of BFP-Bacolod City Fire Station, said in an interview yesterday that they continue to reach out to other barangays for the conduct of training.

“The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office provides support in the procurement of training materials and other needs,” he said.

Servano said the CFAG training runs from three to five days, depending on the number of participants.

On Thursday, March 19, Barangay Tangub was declared champion in the CFAG barangay category of the 1st Mayor Greg Fire and Rescue Olympics, an initiative that seeks to strengthen the city’s community-based fire response efforts.

Tangub bested four other barangays in a series of physically demanding and skill-based challenges designed to simulate real-life emergency situations.

Ayala Malls Capitol retained its title in the company category, while Mansilingan Agro Industrial High School ruled the school category.

The competition featured events such as the fire hose down challenge, bucket relay challenge, emergency medical challenge and tug of war.

In his message, Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city’s Fire and Rescue Olympics goes beyond competition.

“This is not just about physical strength or technical skill. This is about readiness, teamwork, and building a culture of excellence in emergency response,” he added.

During the event, Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, underscored the importance of protecting lives in the observance of Fire Prevention Month.

“Our primary goal is that no life will be lost. Properties can be replaced, and we can start over, but when a life is lost, that is the most tragic,” she said. (PNA)