'Girls On Fire' In Bloomfield: Camp Empowers Youth With Firefighter Training

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Fire Department recently hosted its annual “Girls on Fire” youth camp, now in its third year. The two-day event aims to empower and educate young women about careers in the fire service, giving them hands-on experience and mentorship – as well as the confidence to see themselves as future first responders.

The interactive camp is open to Bloomfield girls entering the 4th, 5th or 6th grade, and is led by the first women to serve as firefighters in Bloomfield.

• See Related: Bloomfield Welcomes Its First Female Career Firefighter In 139 Years

Participants gear up, practice team-based challenges, and learn real-world fire safety and rescue techniques. The program blends physical activity with skill-building exercises – all in a safe and supportive environment.

The program is already paying off, supporters say.

Just a few months ago, a 12-year-old girl who previously attended the Girls on Fire camp took swift, life-saving action during a fast-moving house fire in Bloomfield. Drawing on what she learned at the camp, she quickly recognized the danger, woke her sleeping family members, and helped guide them all out of the home to safety.

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