Camp Ignite: Mississauga’s First Firefighter Camp for Teen Girls Starts August 8

Eighteen Mississauga-based teen girls are all fired up and ready to learn what a career in the fire service could involve during Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services’ (MFES) first teen training camp, Camp Ignite.

MFES accepted applications for the camp earlier this summer with the goal of sparking an interest for firefighting in teen girls.

During the week, which runs from August 8 through 12, the teen firefighters in training will learn a diverse set of skills.

Camp Ignite – Details

Who:

Teenaged girls ages 15 to 19 working with members of MFES. The camp is being led by the City’s first female firefighter, Shelli Varela. Varela joined MFES in 1994 and was later promoted to the position of captain in 2008.

Where:

Garry W. Morden Centre
7535 Ninth Line
Mississauga, ON
L5N 7C3
[Map]

When:

August 8 to 12, 2016

Time:

Daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Camp Details:

Monday, August 8
•         Introduction
•         Overview of fire department structure and history
•         Apparatus familiarization
•         Dress drills

Tuesday, August 9
•         Auto extrication demo
•         Hydrant drills
•         Hose deployment

Wednesday, August 10
•         Ropes/Rappelling – participants will be lowered from a tower
•         Extinguishing a car fire
•         Ropes/hoisting equipment demo

Thursday, August 11
•         Search and rescue demos
•         Maze and ladder drills
•         Public education and fire prevention discussion
•         Functional fitness demo

Friday, August 12
•         Aerial bucket rides and relay races
•         Graduation ceremony
•         Award presentations

Potential Interviews:

Interviews can be arranged with Mississauga Fire Chief Tim Beckett, Shelli Varela and/or camp participants.  If you are interested in covering a particular portion of the event, contact Lindsay Noronha, media contact.