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‘This is so cool.’ An inside look at Elk Grove’s firefighting camp for girls

By Sara Nevis
Nina Santini, 15, puts out a mock fire during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday at the William Perry Schulze Fire Training Facility in Elk Grove. The two-day all-girls fire camp had 18 agencies volunteer to assist the 43 high school-aged girls through stations that simulated tasks firefighters perform.
Nina Santini, 15, puts out a mock fire during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday at the William Perry Schulze Fire Training Facility in Elk Grove. The two-day all-girls fire camp had 18 agencies volunteer to assist the 43 high school-aged girls through stations that simulated tasks firefighters perform. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com

More than 40 girls got an up-close look at the job of being a professional firefighter at the HERo Girls Fire Camp in Elk Grove over the weekend.

The two-day academy for high school-aged girls was taught by professional female firefighters and designed to inspire more women to consider firefighting as a career.

The girls worked through stations that included climbing an aerial ladder, running an agility course, putting out a fire and using the Jaws of Life.

The camp is similar to one held at McClellan Park in past years. The Cosumnes Fire Department hosted the event.

Stephanie Forbes smiles as she takes in the view after climbing up about 100 feet on the aerial ladder during the camp. “This is so cool” Forbes exclaimed as she reached the top of the ladder. “This is the craziest thing I’ver ever done.”
Stephanie Forbes smiles as she takes in the view after climbing up about 100 feet on the aerial ladder during the camp. “This is so cool” Forbes exclaimed as she reached the top of the ladder. “This is the craziest thing I’ver ever done.” Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Erika Yepes, 16, runs with a hose weighing about 25 pounds. with Bella DeRuvo of the Marin Fire Department, right, during the physical ability test station at the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday.
Erika Yepes, 16, runs with a hose weighing about 25 pounds. with Bella DeRuvo of the Marin Fire Department, right, during the physical ability test station at the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Khloe Parsons, 15, looks to Capt. Asha Whipple of the Woodland Fire Department as she uses an ax to break out a window during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday.
Khloe Parsons, 15, looks to Capt. Asha Whipple of the Woodland Fire Department as she uses an ax to break out a window during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Cailei Caldera, center, 17, and Lacey Mayeux, right, 16, listen to a briefing before the search and rescue station during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday.
Cailei Caldera, center, 17, and Lacey Mayeux, right, 16, listen to a briefing before the search and rescue station during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Megan Albrecht of the Waterloo Morada Fire District helps Kailynn Munoz, 17, put on her mask before the search and rescue station on Sunday. “At first it was scary,” Munoz said about going through the smoked filled rooms. “Having a person with you made me fill more secure.”
Megan Albrecht of the Waterloo Morada Fire District helps Kailynn Munoz, 17, put on her mask before the search and rescue station on Sunday. “At first it was scary,” Munoz said about going through the smoked filled rooms. “Having a person with you made me fill more secure.” Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Cailei Caldera, right, 17, uses a thermal imaging camera to scan the smoke-filled room to search for a person while Lacey Mayeux, left, 16, waits to enter during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday.
Cailei Caldera, right, 17, uses a thermal imaging camera to scan the smoke-filled room to search for a person while Lacey Mayeux, left, 16, waits to enter during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Desiree Goldthorpe, 17, is assisted with the Jaws of Life by Madelyn Steele of the Woodland Fire Department to remove a rear car door during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday.
Desiree Goldthorpe, 17, is assisted with the Jaws of Life by Madelyn Steele of the Woodland Fire Department to remove a rear car door during the HERo Girls Fire Camp, hosted by the Cosumnes Fire Department, on Sunday. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Kailynn Munoz, 17, pulls a roughly 10 pound hose up a flight of stairs during the physical ability test station on Sunday. “I know how to use a chainsaw now, so that’s cool,” said Munoz about what she learned at the camp.
Kailynn Munoz, 17, pulls a roughly 10 pound hose up a flight of stairs during the physical ability test station on Sunday. “I know how to use a chainsaw now, so that’s cool,” said Munoz about what she learned at the camp. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com

This story was originally published May 8, 2023 at 6:34 AM.

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