Sirens, simulated fire and split-second decisions: the Pesquería Power Plant fire-fighting brigade joined teams from neighboring companies in the industrial park contest designed to test real-world emergency readiness.

The emergency had been announced. Sirens blared as the 10 firefighters sprang into action, with less than a minute to pull on their protective gear. Once suited up, they raced through a zigzag course carrying a fire extinguisher toward the flames, smashing through a door with a sledgehammer, crossing a bridge and finally extinguishing the fire. Along the way, the challenges kept coming. One teammate assisted an injured person while another carried out a rescue. Some members worked to contain a simulated chemical spill, while others aimed hydrant hoses at a target disc.

This adrenaline-filled race against the clock took place during the 1^st Brigade Rally organized by the authorities of Nuevo León, Mexico, an event which ultimately saw the team from the Pesquería Power Plant (Central Eléctrica Pesquería - CEP) crowned the winners. “We came out champions!” says Alan Alanis, HSE Senior Supervisor, who is part of the team together with Jorge Ramírez, Mechanical Maintenance Technician, and other brigade members from the Local Mutual Help Committee (Comité Local de Ayuda Mutua - CLAM), representing the companies Ternium, Kia and Villacero.

“It helps us to be better prepared for real emergencies and makes our drills more effective, reinforcing the knowledge we gain through our emergency response system,” points out Alan.

Held in November on state-owned land, the event encourages companies to keep their fire-fighting brigades well equipped and fully trained. Through a five-station competition that simulates different emergency scenarios, it reinforces the three core principles of Civil Protection: prevention, assistance and recovery/rehabilitation.

Involving more than 200 people, the competition was divided up into 10 CLAMs which bring together companies located in the same industrial areas to collaborate permanently in the event of emergencies. Each CLAM includes firefighters, paramedics, rescuers, and even Red Cross personnel. “It’s everyone against everyone,” notes Alan, who manages the various emergency brigades at the CEP.

“We have a strong team. Each person who went to the rally plays a key role in our rescue operations,” shares Alan. “This time, we performed a little better, because we were able to manage the whole picture.” Working in synergy with Ternium—which has its own team of firefighters—the group shared the training and strengthened their fire-response skills, the focus of this year’s competition.

Alongside Alan Alanis and Jorge Ramírez from the CEP, the team included Juan Guadalupe Sánchez, Moisés Domínguez, Juan Ramón Pineda, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Nahum Jair Luevano, Jose Ignacio de la Cruz, Azael Castañeda and Rigoberto Ursúa.

"We have a structured emergency training program in the HSE area,” explains Alan. "So far, we haven’t had an event that required us to act, but we carry out drills regularly and manage logistics to ensure everything can be executed within the required time," he adds.

A panel of judges evaluated each team’s performance throughout the day, measuring execution times. CLAM Pesquería completed the five stations in just four minutes, according to the team’s own calculations, and after penalties were deducted, they secured the cup—celebrating the victory like a Formula 1 podium finish. Authorities were present to present the awards. “Now we’re going for the back-to-back championship,” Alan says with a smile.

“Being a firefighter is hugely rewarding. We train for the unexpected, and being able to help someone when it matters most is the greatest satisfaction,” reflects Alan. His role involves updating the annual training program for firefighters, including personnel from all operational areas. “We have the knowledge, but if you don’t practice, you forget it. That’s why constant training helps develop muscle memory and keeps our skills up to par.”

For José Antonio Torres, HSE Manager at the CEP, the achievement reflects a broader collective effort. “Becoming champions was very rewarding,” he says. “This kind of challenge strengthens our commitment to keep developing the technical capabilities of our first responders, so they’re ready to deal with any emergency at the power station. We’re grateful to the brigade members for their enthusiasm and dedication and to Management and the operational teams for everything they did to support us. This really is a win for everyone!”