Goodyear Fire Department camps target increasing women, leadership

The city of Goodyear Fire Department worked last week on getting more women interested in serving with a program targeting high school girls.

The Goodyear Fire Department’s Camp F.I.R.E.S. — Females in Responding Emergency Services — looks to empower high school girls through leadership and team-building challenges through fire-related activities.

“We want girls attending our camp to experience something that they wouldn’t typically experience, like climbing a 100-foot ladder,” said Goodyear Fire Engineer Lora Davis in a press release. “But we also want them to build self-confidence, learn how to work with others, and gain leadership skills that they can use as they enter adulthood.”

Camp F.I.R.E.S. took place at Fire Station 181 between June 17 and 21. The camp's mission is to introduce young women and inspire the next generation of female leaders to the fire service.

“Investing in initiatives like this camp for teen girls underscores our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive public safety sector,” said Goodyear City Manager Wynette Reed in a press release. “Empowering young women through hands-on experiences not only strengthens our community resilience but also cultivates future leaders dedicated to serving our neighborhoods.”