The Wait is Over – Camp Ignite is Back!

Mississauga’s only camp focused on introducing young women to a potential career in the fire service is now  accepting applications.

For the third year in a row Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) will introduce 20 teenaged girls ages 15 to 19 to a potential career in the fire service through a unique weeklong experience, Camp Ignite.

“There is no better introduction to a potential career than what is offered through Camp Ignite,” said Tim Beckett, Fire Chief, Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services. “Our vision to make Mississauga a fire-safe city is dependant on having the right people in the right roles within the fire service. We want young woman to understand that this is a rewarding career that is available to them.”

For the first time last year, camp leader and the City’s first female firefighter and captain, Shelli Varela began offering camp participants access to a webinar on Overcoming Limiting Beliefs. The course was developed to help teen girls recognize what they want and the fear that could be holding them back from achieving their dreams. Varela will again be offering the webinar during this year’s camp.

“I’m not surprised about how popular Camp Ignite has become in Mississauga,” said Varela. “I’m proud to see that young women are continuing to find their voices, open their minds and consider careers they may not have thought about before. It’s not about putting more women in firefighting roles. It’s about putting the right people in these roles and we want young women to understand that they could be those people.”

Through Camp Ignite, the teens will learn a diverse set of skills including:

• basic firefighting
• fighting simulated car fires
• auto extrication
• aerial ladder climbing
• search and rescue
• forcible entry
• team building
• use of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
• basics of pump/ladder operations
• fitness and nutrition
• basics of technical rescue
• securing hydrants
• highrise operations

Camp Ignite – Details

Who:
Teenaged girls ages 15 to 19 working with members of MFES

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

When:
July 30 to August 3, 2018

Time:
Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cost:
The cost of Camp Ignite is $150. Participants will require steel-toed boots and leather work gloves to take part in fire ground activities.

How to Apply:
The application form can be found here. Applications will be accepted until Friday, June 22, 2018.

Tags

• Fire and Emergency Services