REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Recognition of the NorCal Girls Fire Camp held at Santa Clara Fire Department on
May 4 and May 5, 2019
Report
BACKGROUND
Northern California Women in the Fire Service (NorCal WFS), a professional association, was founded in 2018 by a small group of women firefighters from departments in Santa Clara, Alameda County, Daly City, Oakland and Fremont. Santa Clara Fire Captain Jenn Panko is a NorCal WFS founding board member.
The mission of the organization is to provide a dynamic, deliberate network that mentors, educates and supports current and future fire service women. Nationwide, fewer than 5% of professional firefighters are women. NorCal WFS seeks to improve those numbers through professional development, mentorship and youth outreach.
NorCal WFS conducted their inaugural Girls Fire Camp last year with the City of Fremont Fire Department serving as the host fire agency. In 2019 the camp was hosted by the Santa Clara Fire Department.
The camp introduces high-school girls to the rigors of the job and the tools of the trade, with the goal of inspiring them to pursue a career in the fire service. In the interest of role modeling, the camp is conducted entirely by women firefighters. Girls Camp is dependent on local fire department hosts to provide the facilities and some of the firefighting equipment. This partnership between NorCal WFS and the hosting fire department serves as a recruiting tool to encourage more women to pursue a career in the fire service.
DISCUSSION
Girls Fire Camp, held at the Santa Clara Fire Department Training Center on May 4 and 5, 2019 hosted 52 high school girls from 32 cities around the Bay Area. Seven student participants were from the city of Santa Clara. The event was staffed by 115 women firefighters, representing 30 fire departments from the Bay Area, and as far away as Texas, Alaska and Hawaii. Nine women firefighters from the Santa Clara Fire Department led the planning and organization effo...
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