The National Fire Brigade Competition is organized and sponsored by the Safety Organization of the Philippines (SOPI) and is highlighted annually every March in observance of the Fire Prevention Month. This competition was participated by the fire brigades of industrial and commercial companies, which showcase and put to the test the skills and readiness of their members in case of fire. Participants of the national competition were already winners of elimination rounds conducted in various regions.

This year's national finals were participated by 22 fire brigades which competed in several events. The activity included the fire hose with ladder, bucket-relay, tug-o-war and the fire extinguishing event wherein not only the skill of the team members were tested, but the effectiveness of the fire extinguisher as well.

The goal in the fire extinguishing event was to extinguish completely the fires ravaging in three half-moon trays using a fire extinguisher in the shortest possible time. The leaders of each brigade drew lots as to which among the other Philippine Chamber of Fire Protectors Inc. (FCFPI) participating brands would be used. There were 12 brands, including EXCELTA, namely: Guardian, Siere, Palmer, Fame, Fimco, Feirex, Raven, Guardland, Safecon, Pyro-Medic and Cougar.

Each team in this event was composed of three members. The fire extinguishers they used were placed 25 meters away from them and 25 meters away from the first tray followed by the remaining two trays, with the whole course stretching up to 100 meters. Each member must run to the fire extinguisher, extinguish the fire and ran back to the starting line.

This year, our brand was drawn by the fire brigade of MIRANT POWER CORPORATION (MPC), whose plant is based in Pagbilao, Quezon and supplies electricity in that province. The event started with other fire brigades extinguishing the fire using other brands and finishing the course the longest in 30.90 seconds. MPC who used our DONEWELL fire extinguisher put off the ravaging fire in 22 seconds!

EXCELTA'S DONEWELL and MIRANT POWER'S Fire Brigade were declared champions of the National Fire Brigade Competition 2002. What happened in the fire extinguisher event is a testimony that during an emergency, the skills of the operator may be vital in putting out the fire but the quality and the dependability of the fire extinguisher determine the success in putting it out effectively and immediately. It is also our pride that the second placer this year is TSUKOBA PHILIPPINES whose fire brigade team had been trained and instructed by Daniel Mendiola, Rolando Fineza and Jojo Siasoco especially for this year's competition.

Fire brigade training is one of the free after sales services we provide our client. TSUKOBA's vicotry is a proof of this endeavor.