There’s a reason a revving chainsaw sounded so sweet this particular Saturday.
A series of chance encounters spanning decades partially spawned an unusual gathering where power tools, brush jackets, ladders and other gear played a part.
At first glance, the recent event appeared like any other educational opportunity for teens. The two-day girls’ fire camp, held on training grounds at the Camarillo Airport, promised an introduction to firefighting operations. It was the second such annual camp hosted by the Ventura County Fire Department.
But the story behind the camp — and the female firefighters from across the western United States who taught it — highlights the baton-like passage of inspiration among professional women in the field. Such inspiration traces to the upper ranks of the local command staff.