Chatham County fire camp gives high school girls hands-on experience

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Chatham County Fire Department is giving high school girls the chance to suit up and get hands-on experience in fire service through a three-day camp at the department’s training center.

Campers work directly with Chatham County firefighters and EMS. They learn fire prevention tips, how to quickly stop the spread of flames and how to rescue victims from a scene.

Saturday, teens practiced with a real fire hose, aiming the stream at a traffic cone to work on precision.

“These past couple days have been really fun, very you know, interactive and informative, very hands-on,” said Kamoiia Roberts, a camper.

Addressing gender gap in fire service

Fire service is a heavily male-dominated field. Women make up just nine percent of firefighters across the country.

Training Chief Joshua Anderson said he wants girls to know fire service is an option and give them the chance to see that for themselves.

“Going ahead and jumping in at an early age, you can build quite a career for yourself as a female in the fire service today,” Anderson said.

The program also partners with other agencies, bringing guest speakers to share their story.

Building teamwork and careers

The camp is open to high schoolers entering tenth grade through senior year.

Roberts said she didn’t know any of her fellow campers before, but after two days of teamwork and bonding, she made friends.

“More girls should definitely do this program, because I feel like more females should be in the fire field, you know,” Roberts said.

The program is now in its second year. Anderson said the camp is working and plans to keep it going.

“We had a couple boys from the boys camp last year that actually applied this year, so we are seeing success from the program,” Anderson said.

Sunday is the final day of the three-day girls camp. Chatham County Fire will hold the boys camp the last weekend in June.