From July 23 to July 30, 24 young women from around the country will come together to explore a career in firefighting. They will participate in a leadership camp led by women firefighters like Margo Freeman, a 19-year veteran of the Kirkland Fire Department. Camp Blaze, a nonprofit organization developed by the International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services, seeks to “empower, inspire and support strong women leaders” through a free weeklong training program located at the Washington State Fire Training Academy in North Bend. Young women ages 16 to 19 are taught skills ranging from teambuilding and leadership to live-fire response and CPR.
Campers learn from a professional staff of female firefighters and first responders who volunteer their time to teach young women the value of overcoming obstacles.