The City of Yuma recently announced the launch of the Camp Inferno program, an annual event that introduces teenage girls to the firefighting scene.
For three days in February, girls aged 14 to 19 will learn basic firefighting techniques, undergo traditional firefighting training and be provided with “hands-on experience of firefighter duties,” according to an official release. That's what it means.
“Camp Inferno is an opportunity for young women to see what a day in the life of a firefighter is like,” Yuma Fire Department Chief David Padilla Jr. said in a statement. “Programs like Camp Inferno are rare, and we are fortunate to be able to provide such a great experience and opportunity for young women interested in this profession.”
Since 2016, the City of Yuma Fire Department and Parks and Recreation Department have coordinated a program to teach area high school girls “what it's like to work in the fire service,” with a mission to “provide real-world experiences.” We have cooperated with It includes, among other things, valuable life skills and assets, the statement said.
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Marilyn Rummel, Recreation Program Supervisor for the City of Yuma, said participants will also be exposed to career fields adjacent to or cooperating with the fire service, such as emergency medical services and investigative work.
“It's great to be exposed to concepts that you would normally miss in high school,” Ramel said. “For example, of course everyone has heard of firefighting, but they don't really know what it entails.”
For $30 per person, high school girls from across Yuma County can participate in the three-day program, where they not only complete real firefighting missions and challenges, but also have the opportunity to “bond together” with their peers, Rummel said. said.
Starting Tuesday, the 24 participants selected will be divided into teams and learn about teamwork, accountability and leadership while doing a variety of group activities in a “tightly controlled environment,” Ramel said. The program will continue on February 16th and 17th.
Rummel said the camp will be held at the Yuma Public Safety Training Facility and will be co-hosted by several local fire departments. Meanwhile, each group will be guided and supervised by a certified firefighter and an assigned parks and recreation assistant.
learn together
Activities will include a variety of traditional fire drills and training programs, including ladder climbing, fire truck rides and live firefighting, Ramel said. In addition, female crew members, including registered nurses and helicopter pilots, will be hired to mentor and motivate teen participants at each event, Rummel said.
Ramel also explained that the girls will also have the opportunity to wear real firefighting suits and equipment that are “customized to their measurements.”
In addition to learning fire service procedures and making connections, participants will also receive T-shirts, gift bags, snacks, and a “campfire with s’mores.”
For marketing expert Eduardo Marquez, Camp Inferno doesn't just teach “the basics of firefighting,” it instills attitudes and ethics in teenage girls and is “balanced, inclusive and empowering.” experience.
“I think it’s really rare to see a show that’s geared toward women,” Marquez said. “We really want to be able to teach women values, not just become firefighters.”
“(Camp Inferno) is really great at opening up new career paths (for girls).”
In addition to the planned activities, Camp Inferno will also present a career panel featuring a female fire chief as a guest speaker, Rummel said.
Ramel said many young girls feel that a career in firefighting or other similar fields is not an option for them, and that firefighting is “marketed more to boys than girls.” . She further said that Camp Inferno serves as an information, education and awareness platform for girls seeking career opportunities in “non-traditional women's work.”
“I think (Camp Inferno) is really great at opening up new career paths for (girls)…and helping them realize their potential,” Ramel said. “We have trained people to go through this program and become 911 dispatchers and firefighters.”
The government-sanctioned program also stems from the need for women in the fire service workforce, Ramel said, adding that women make up only a “small percentage” of the fire workforce throughout Yuma County.
“When girls leave camp, we want them to know what next steps to take to get that career,” Ramel said.
Ramel said she has seen “incredible personal growth” in area youth since the program's inception and described how Camp Inferno has positively impacted area high school girls. did.
“What[the participants]take away from the camp is confidence. Their confidence increases,” Ramel said. “The fact that we are bringing a small group of girls together to show them how valuable they are and what they can learn and achieve has a huge impact.”
Camp Inferno is open to all girls between the ages of 14 and 19 enrolled in high schools in the Valley. There is typically a $30 participation fee, but students can apply for a full scholarship to the program “based on financial need.” Ramel said new and returning participants are encouraged to enroll in the program each year.
“Having this opportunity to work so closely with a group of people and invest in their future and personal growth shows us that we can succeed in a completely different way that we never thought possible.” said Ramel. “It’s amazing how much you can accomplish with just a few days of experience.”
