Young women suit up with the Savannah Fire Department

SAVANNAH, Ga (WSAV) — The Savannah Fire Department (SFD) has brought back Camp Ignite, a program that helps young women build confidence, and hopefully encourages them to pursue a career in firefighting.

It is the second year the SFD has held Camp Ignite and invited young women ages 14 to 21 from across the community to give firefighting a shot.

The camp started on Wednesday and campers will be introduced to hands on training, team challenges and confidence building. The women of the SFD team will be leading the girls.

Tyler Barrett, fire engineer and camp director, started the camp in 2023.

“The goal of Camp Ignite of course is to talk about firefighting and the fire service – introduce it to these girls,” Barrett said. “But really to inspire, motivate, empower…”

They will suit up and take part in real life fire-fighting scenarios and learning the importance of working as a group.

The exercise is also meant to instill confidence in these young women and encourage them to pursue a career in fire service. The SFD said women make up less than 10 percent of the workers in that field.

“We’re already halfway through the day and they are already like ‘let’s go, let’s do this together,’” said Fire Engineer Bud Boyce. “We’re watching them build teamwork skills and that’s great.”

Since last year’s camp, the department has gained more of the community’s support for Camp Ignite.

“One of sponsors arranged for us to have an actual CPR class,” Boyce said. “All of the campers today are going to come with a CPR card, so not only the physical skills to save a life but the confidence in themselves to be able to do something about a problem.”

A graduation celebrating the completion of the camp will be held on Saturday. It is a chance for family and friends to get fired up for the progress the girls have made.