St. Pete program hopes to inspire, introduce girls to the fire service
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Camp Ignite, a groundbreaking pilot program in St. Petersburg, Florida, is designed to inspire and empower teenage girls to explore careers in firefighting. Participants engage in a variety of hands-on activities, such as cutting cars and practicing CPR, which help them gain practical skills while boosting their self-confidence. Ni'Asia Medley, one of the participants, shared her experiences, highlighting the adrenaline rush of descending from a building. Lt.
Nicole Howard from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue notes that the camp not only teaches physical skills but also instills a sense of empowerment in young women. With women comprising only six percent of professional firefighters in the U. S. , this program aims to change that statistic by encouraging girls to pursue careers in the fire service.
Medley expressed her newfound interest in potentially joining the fire service after the camp, underscoring its impact. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of female representation in all fields, especially those traditionally dominated by men. Overall, Camp Ignite serves as an essential step toward fostering greater diversity and inclusion in the firefighting profession.