Eugene, OR established the Young Women's Fire Camp to address the lack of local female firefighters
Eugene, OR Young Women's Fire Camp training program
The Eugene Springfield Fire Department established the Young Women's Fire Camp to address the lack of local female firefighters. The free five-day program uses hands-on training activities including extinguishing live fires, emergency medical services, rappelling, self-defense, and vehicle extrication to help young women, ages 16 to 19, develop confidence and leadership skills. Participants also engage in conversations about peer pressure, societal pressures, self-image, and mental health.
Newsworthy
2021 Community Equity & Inclusion Award: 50,000 and Greater Population | icma.org
Young Women's Fire Camp Eugene, Oregon Sarah Medary, ICMA-CM, City Manager Eugene Springfield Fire established the Young Women’s Fire Camp in 2010 at the urging of Fire Captain Jean Woodrich, who retired after 28 years of service. Recognizing the lack of female firefighters locally and nationally, Woodrich developed a five-day program for young women ages 16-19 that would expose them to firefighting as a career and help develop confidence and leadership skills.
Camp builds young women's inner fires
Eugene-Springfield Fire Department's women firefighters hold the free annual camp to teach campers \
Project Succeeded
Many of the program's graduates have gone on to careers in firefighting, emergency services, and other public services such as military, police, and emergency relief work. The Eugene Springfield Fire Department received the ICMA's 2021 Community Equity & Inclusion Award for Excellence.
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