VIDEO: Aiming to get more women interested in firefighting careers, firefighters in Florissant hosted dozens of women Saturday for their annual hands-on fire camp.
The women who participated in the second annual Fire Up St. Louis got to take part in an abbreviated firefighter training session, culminating with a simulated “fire call.” Participants learned how to work fire hoses, repel down buildings and other skills needed to jumpstart a career in the fire service.
Many of this year’s participants are already trained EMTs. Organizers say that nowadays, most fire departments in the St. Louis region have one or two female firefighters. Whereas there is already some outreach to high schoolers, camps like this are meant to make the career more visible to adults looking for a new career or calling.