VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Did you know there are 1.16 million firefighters in the United States? Did you know that only seven percent of them are women?
Virginia Beach Fire Department is hosting Camp 911 to encourage young people to consider public safety as a possible career path.
This camp is not only designed to engage women to become firefighters but all members of the population who are historically underrepresented in public safety. Master Firefighter Medic Vanessa Austin said that she hoped the camp might inspire all kids to be firefighters.
"There's not a lot of minorities and females in the job field and that's something I'm hoping to remedy,” said Austin. Austin said the camp would teach children to work together.
"Throughout this whole camp they're going to be supportive of each other and they're going to learn what this job entails and how we help our community,” said Austin.
Camp 911 is a week-long day camp that takes place August 19 until 23. In total, 30 students have the opportunity to participate.
The camp is a joint effort between the Virginia Beach Fire Department, Emergency Communications, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Police Department, and Sheriff’s Office.
Tavon Grew, 12, said that he signed up for the camp so he could learn skills from all the first responder groups.
"I went through this so I could have a little expertise so that just in case somebody got injured, I could help them out,” said Grew.
Another camper, Leilani May decided she did not want to be a firefighter, but that she had respect for all that they do.
"It was challenging, and exhausting. The hose was heavy and we had to go upstairs and run back down. But they risk their lives to save us a lot and for that, I'm really grateful,” said May.
The middle and high school-aged students will experience various aspects of each department and live a “day in the life” of a public safety officer.
Each day the students will work with a different public safety department.