In an effort to recruit more women into firefighting careers, local fire agencies held a three-day camp this weekend for young women to get hands-on experiences in the fire service.
The Rogue Girls Fire Camp is the first ever fire camp for young women in the Rogue Valley. There are fewer than a dozen female firefighters in both Jackson and Josephine counties.
“What a great opportunity for young girls, young women, who may have an interest or do have an interest in fire fighting as a career,” Chief Bob Horton, Jackson County Fire District 3, said.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there is only about 4 percent of female firefighters nationwide.
“There’s just simply isn’t the numbers I think in terms of the applications that we’re seeing for firefighters,” Chief Horton said.
In an effort to boost that percentage, 18 aspiring firefighters from around the Rogue Valley and northern California took part in a three-day girls fire camp.