The Girl's Future Firefighter Camp in Rocky Hill is a training program that focuses on empowering young ladies to think outside the box.
For the last four years, the all-girls camp has created outlets for empowerment while molding the new generation of leaders.
The 13- to 18-year-olds go through a host of training programs including 911 calls from dispatch experts.
Jazmin Franklin is new to the camp but says it’s opening her eyes to a potential career.
“It’s been a very fun process and you have a team of girls all striving for the same goal,” said Franklin. “There’s a lot of details that not a lot of people know about.”
The camp includes training in many areas of the fire department, including emergency medical services, fire prevention, risk reduction, fire investigation and personnel support.
Several informal sessions are included in the camp; CPR/AED/first aid, physical fitness training, and fire apparatus familiarization.
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Kelly Mayo just graduated high school and is following in her family’s footsteps of service.
“Firefighting runs in the family and I want to maintain our legacy of helping others,” said Mayo. “Being a leader is more than just telling someone what to do.”
Twenty-two girls have enrolled in the program.
Instructors from across the state and the U.S. are volunteering their time.
The GFFC curriculum includes ropes and knots, ladder operations, hose line operations, arson investigation, code enforcements and report writing.
Rocky Hill Fire Captain Shelly Carter is the leading role model and creator.
“It’s important for these young ladies to know that they can do anything they put their mind to,” said Captain Carter. “They don’t always have to be just a firefighter, but they could be in leadership positions inside emergency agencies.”
Carter created the program to inform young girls about the opportunities in public service.
“We need to add more woman to the fire service,” Carter said. “Every single thing that I do, I want these young ladies to understand.”
The camp meets on July 12, July 19, July 26 and August 2.
GFFC is free to those who want to attend.
For more information about the Girl’s Future Firefighter Camp, click here.
