Camp Ignite gave teenager girls from across British Columbia a taste of being a firefighter.
The three-day camp introduced girls in Grade 11 and 12 to the world of firefighting. New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services was among the hosts of this year’s Aug. 8 to 11 event.
“Camp Ignite is more than just a camp; it’s an opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation of female firefighters,” said Saba Asadi, a New West firefighter. “I believe that today’s event left a lasting impact on everyone involved, and I’m excited to see where these young women will go from here.”
Asadi, who is also a member of Fire Service Women BC’s board of directors, said she had the privilege of being part of the mentorship team at Camp Ignite in New West – something she described as an “inspiring event.”
“Today’s camp was an incredible experience for both the participants and the mentors,” she said in a statement to the Record. “We structured the day with a series of stations, each aimed at giving the girls hands-on experience in various aspects of our profession. The tower climb was a standout challenge, where the girls demonstrated their courage and physical endurance. At the auto-extrication station, they learned the precision and care needed to safely rescue individuals from vehicles after accidents — a skill that’s critical in our line of work.”
Asadi said Camp Ignite also emphasized fitness, with a dedicated station to build strength and stamina, critical attributes for anyone considering a career in firefighting.
“The fire suppression exercises allowed the girls to handle real firefighting equipment, giving them a taste of what it’s like to be on the front lines,” she said. “Our fire prevention information sessions rounded out the day, underscoring the importance of fire safety and prevention — key components of our work that save lives every day.”
Asadi said she was most struck by the enthusiasm and determination of the participants.
“They approached each challenge with eagerness and a willingness to learn, qualities that are essential in firefighting,” she said. “It was incredibly rewarding to see their confidence grow as they go to learn new skills and pushed their limits.”
Asadi said many crews from the New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services supported the event, and their participation made all the difference.
“The girls not only learned about firefighting techniques but also got a sense of the camaraderie and teamwork that define our profession,” she said. “The collective effort of the on- and off-duty crews, the training division, and the management team being present brought the event together nicely and allowed us to once again share what we do best and take pride in it.”
Among those attending this year’s camp were New West residents Sophia Ressalei and Cassandra Doria, who were sponsored by the local fire department. (Camp Ignite notes that all campers are sponsored in part by their local fire department, which pays some or all of the cost to participate and provides their camper with a departmental t-shirt and turnout gear.)
Camp Ignite, a non-profit, coordinates the annual event. Camp hosts, including New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services, allow the camp to operate at their facilities for at least one day of the camp.
According to Camp Ignite, the aim is to encourage female youth to consider a career in the fire service. Its website states that women currently represent only four per cent of the fire service internationally.
New Westminster Fire Chief Erin Williams said Camp Ignite is a really good opportunity to introduce young women to what a career in the fire service would look like. There were no women working for New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services when Williams joined the department in 1995; today, the department has nine female firefighters.
“I think it really gives people a good experience and introduces them to what being a firefighter is,” he said. “They’ll recognize that … there are possibilities in all the sectors of the fire service for women to work in.”
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