Local female youth attend firefighting camp
Camp Cinder introduces female high school-age youth to multiple disciplines of fire service
– After much preparation and multi-fire agency support, Camp Cinder took place in San Luis Obispo County from June 22 through 26. Camp Cinder is a firefighting-based program in which female high school-age youth are introduced to multiple disciplines of the fire service. Over the course of five days, campers learn and perform hands-on skills pertaining to structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, rescue operations, and first-responder medical interventions.
Cal Fire was the main sponsor of the event this year, while female firefighters from surrounding local agencies were also involved and offered support to make the event a success. Atascadero Fire and Emergency Services was excited to host a portion of Camp Cinder on Friday June 24 at Fire Station One in Atascadero.
Camp participants were able to ascend the aerial ladder of Truck 7545, providing an empowering moment for the girls to overcome any fear of heights in a controlled environment. Camp Cinder staff and fellow campers cheered on individuals as they harnessed up and climbed every step of the 100-foot ladder onto the ladder platform, which was suspended at a height of about 40 feet.
Campers concluded the five-day event after having accomplished a variety of firefighting skills. More importantly, Camp Cinder provided a safe, challenging, and fun environment in which the participants increased their confidence, created new friendships, and established mentorship opportunities with full-time female firefighters.
