“I know I want to be a firefighter.”
Those were the decisive words of 14-year-old Annabelle Shaba, who took part in the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD)’s Girls Empowerment Camp (GEC), which introduces teens 14–18 to the fire service and provides campers a realistic, hands-on overview of firefighting and career options in public safety.
The unique opportunity isn’t lost on Annabelle, who attended the two-day GEC in April and had such a good time that she wanted to come back for the May 19–20 event: “No one gets to say when they are 14 that they got to do all this,” she said.
By “all this,” Annabelle is referring to a host of activities to help teens understand all that a career in firefighting entails—using firefighting equipment, such as chainsaws, axes and ropes; going through search and rescue drills, one of which involves a smoke-filled hallway; observing a live burn; learning about basic first aid and hands-only CPR as well as how to use an AED; wearing turnout gear and donning SCBA; watching extrication activities; rappelling from second-story windows; and participating in a firefighter fitness workout.
The idea for the camp originated with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, which hosted a few female San Diego firefighters at their event two years ago. San Diego’s team—spearheaded by co-creators Amber Taddeo, Jeri Miuccio and Jennifer Wolf—adapted the concept for SDFD and held its first camp in 2017.
Taddeo, who has been an engineer/paramedic for 11 years, explained that the original purpose of the camp was to recruit young girls into the fire service, and SDFD in particular, where women constitute only 4 percent of its ranks. But, she added, the camp soon evolved far beyond a recruitment tool.
“You see the transition of the campers from the first day when they are shy to the end of the second day and they are high-fiving, dancing and standing a bit taller,” she said. “They become brave and confident. It’s not just firefighting skills; these are life skills.”
Taddeo noted that the camp gives teens the opportunity to build confidence and focus on teamwork and communication. Ultimately, the tools they learn in camp can be applied to other areas of their life, even if they don’t ultimately become firefighters, she said.
SDFD Battalion Chief Trish Pollett, one of the camp instructors, said that when she first started in the fire service 28 years ago, there was nothing like this event. She was fortunate to have a lot of guy friends supporting her, but there weren’t many women to connect with.
“It’s nice to give [the teens] the opportunity to see that they can do anything they want,” she said.
Zoe King, 15, isn’t sure of her career path yet—maybe something with medicine, like an EMT or paramedic, she said. She learned about the camp from a friend and thought it would be fun to participate in an event where she could feel “powerful and strong.” She was most excited about using a real chainsaw.
After the first evolution—forcible entry using a set of irons—she said she was surprised that it was so difficult. She added that the camp shows how much more there is to firefighting beyond what you see on TV.
Destiny Ramirez, 16, said she first realized that firefighting was a great career option for her about six months ago. She had started watching the TV show “9-1-1” and was thinking about who could assist her grandmother if she needed help. She then talked to her sister about it and discovered that she had actually wanted to be a firefighter, but pursued a different path instead. So Destiny signed up for the camp to learn more about a fire service career. She even brought a notebook to take down as much information as possible.
TJ Woodard, 14, said he’s always had an interest in firefighting and thought the camp would be a good opportunity to try it as a career. He echoed Zoe’s observation that the camp helps you get a real idea of what it’s like to be a firefighter, beyond what you see on TV.
TJ said he was most excited to try the life-saving evolutions, like CPR. “You could be a hero one day,” he said.
Being the only boy at this month's GEC didn’t phase TJ: “It’s different, but we’re all human beings,” he said. “It doesn’t really make a difference.”
The 2018 events had been briefly canceled in February after a local attorney accused the department of discriminating against boys. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer later reinstated the program, and it was emphasized that the camp was open to girls and boys.
The GEC is organized and run by firefighters from SDFD with volunteers from multiple agencies: Los Angeles County Fire, San Jose Fire, Santa Clara Fire, Rincon Fire, Poway Fire, National City Fire, Federal Fire, CAL FIRE, Chula Vista Fire, SDFD lifeguards, Reach Air Medical Services, Tijuana Fire, Orange County Fire Authority, AMR and SD Project Heart Beat. This camp is made possible by SDFD, the San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation and private donations/sponsors. There is no cost to the campers.
To learn more, visit the Girls Empowerment Camp website.
Janelle Foskett
Janelle Foskett served as editorial director of Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com, overseeing the editorial operations for the print edition along with working closely with the Web team.
