ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – For the first time ever, the St. Augustine Fire Department hosted a firefighting camp for girls.
It was a two-day event called “Spark the Flame,” where the department gave middle school girls a glimpse into that line of work.
Emmie, who just finished sixth grade, said this experience was eye-opening.
“I always thought that they just fight fires, but there’s so much more that goes into it,” Emmie said. “I have learned that I have a lot more self-confidence in myself than I would think that I do.”
These girls learned several skills like searching and rescuing a person who may be trapped in a burning house.
They also learned how to put out a fire and work as a team to maneuver a hose around tight spaces. But that’s not all, the girls also learned CPR along with evacuation routes in case of a fire.
Dionne Streete, who is a paramedic in south Florida, helped teach the girls.
“We get a shot in the arm. We are reinvigorated. Watching these young girls, overcome some struggles or watching them come in confident and just crush it,” Streete said.
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These leaders said this camp is to empower these girls and show them this can be an option.
“I always reminded them, it doesn’t matter if you ever work a day in the field of fire service. Everything that you got today is yours forever. It is transferable to life,” Streete said.
The fire department’s chief said statewide, 10% of firefighters are women. It’s a profession that is dealing with a shortage.
Hannah Riederich, who has been a firefighter for the St. Augustine Fire Department for three years, said this two-day camp was enriching and had a two-fold effect.
“Coming from where I was as a little girl, I did not know this is a career option for me. Everyone comes in super intimidated, and they are really quiet. Throughout the day, they get to know each other and come out of their comfort zone, and they love it,” Riederich said.
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Riederich said she hopes it inspires others to consider this line of work.
“We have already had girls that said ‘I want to do the fire service now.’ I feel great. This has been the best,” Riedereich said.