Posted on Jul 20, 2022
Gear up and learn: Camp gives young women a taste of possible career as firefighter
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Female firefighters from across Oregon and Washington came together in Sherwood, Oregon, this weekend to deliver a message to young women: Yes, you could have a career as a firefighter.
Portland Metro Fire Camp provides the opportunity for girls and young women ages 16-22 to get hands-on experience and explore possible careers in fire service. The three-day camp is hosted by Portland Fire & Rescue and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, and staffed by 30 professional female firefighters.
Firefighter Emily Van Meter says she wishes she could have attended this type of camp when she was younger. She did not begin her fire service career until she was in her thirties, never realizing that the field was an option for women.
“I probably would’ve done a much different, you know, career path or life choices at that point, had I known that this was even an option when I was younger” says Van Meter. “So giving [the campers] that opportunity is huge and it’s great for them.”
Women at the camp learn rope skills, controlling nozzles, emergency medical skills and more, all in a supportive and encouraging environment aimed at instilling confidence and building teamwork skills.
“Our goal with Portland Metro fire camp is that the girls take away that they can do anything that they put their mind to,” Van Meter says, “and that there truly are no barriers physically and mentally for them.”
Portland Metro Fire Camp provides the opportunity for girls and young women ages 16-22 to get hands-on experience and explore possible careers in fire service. The three-day camp is hosted by Portland Fire & Rescue and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, and staffed by 30 professional female firefighters.
Firefighter Emily Van Meter says she wishes she could have attended this type of camp when she was younger. She did not begin her fire service career until she was in her thirties, never realizing that the field was an option for women.
“I probably would’ve done a much different, you know, career path or life choices at that point, had I known that this was even an option when I was younger” says Van Meter. “So giving [the campers] that opportunity is huge and it’s great for them.”
Women at the camp learn rope skills, controlling nozzles, emergency medical skills and more, all in a supportive and encouraging environment aimed at instilling confidence and building teamwork skills.
“Our goal with Portland Metro fire camp is that the girls take away that they can do anything that they put their mind to,” Van Meter says, “and that there truly are no barriers physically and mentally for them.”
Gear up and learn: Camp gives young women a taste of possible career as firefighter
Posted from opb.org
Sherwood
Firefighting
Camping
Portland
Posted >1 y ago
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"never realizing that the field was an option for women."
I never realized that joining the JROTC was an option for me, a dirt floor poor European American. Though I had the skill and acumen to become a Military Pilot, the Recruiters would no speak to me about a Commission. Thus, it was age 32 when I Enlisted. Had I not done my due diligence to research what aviation and Active Duty opportunities were possible for me, I would have ended up being only an IT as a Reservist. Unless your Life has been at the direction of others, for the most part, opportunities are not laid out before us, no matter your gender, race or creed. One has to seek out those opportunities on their own initiative. My Recruiter gave me some sage advice, "Only you are in charge of your Naval Career. It is not going to be handed to you."
I never realized that joining the JROTC was an option for me, a dirt floor poor European American. Though I had the skill and acumen to become a Military Pilot, the Recruiters would no speak to me about a Commission. Thus, it was age 32 when I Enlisted. Had I not done my due diligence to research what aviation and Active Duty opportunities were possible for me, I would have ended up being only an IT as a Reservist. Unless your Life has been at the direction of others, for the most part, opportunities are not laid out before us, no matter your gender, race or creed. One has to seek out those opportunities on their own initiative. My Recruiter gave me some sage advice, "Only you are in charge of your Naval Career. It is not going to be handed to you."
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