On October 18, a Volunteer Fire Corps Pump Competition was held in Fuji City. Voluntary fire-fighting teams composed of 5 people from each factory in Fuji City compete against each other by performing a series of actions that include hooking fire hoses to fire cisterns and spraying water on a fire until it is extinguished. Teams are judged on accuracy and speed.
In most years, the competition coincides with the periodic inspection of the Fuji Plant, so time-wise it was difficult for some of the team members to participate in some of the practice sessions after work and we were worried about whether we would be adequately prepared in time for the competition. Also Mr. Yoji Nishizawa, one of our team member who works in the RDC, suffered a bad sprain one week before the competition. It was uncertain whether the sprain would completely heal in time. However, Mr. Nishizawa has a strong sense of responsibility; he could participate in the competition. In addition, he even won the Best Team Member prize!
Unfortunately, we placed 4th in the overall rankings and failed to be among the prizewinners. We aren't discouraged, though. Our voluntary fire-fighting team will be practicing hard so that this year we take away a prize!
Ms. Satoko Inaba