Edmonton Journal ePaper

IT'S A WOMAN'S JOB

ANNA JUNKER ajunker@postmedia.com

Participants in Camp Inspire put on firefighting gear before taking part in a training scenario Sunday in Edmonton. Camp Inspire, hosted by Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, is geared to women and members of gender-diverse communities who are curious about careers as firefighters.

Young women interested in firefighting as a career got a chance to experience it first-hand over the weekend during Edmonton Fire Rescue Service's Camp Inspire.

The second edition of Camp Inspire took place at the Fire Fighting Training Centre in west Edmonton with 22 participants. Activities included rappelling down the side of a building, a live fire exercise where participants suited up in firefighting gear to put out a fire inside a building, and a search and rescue simulation.

Tiffany Edgecombe, deputy fire chief of training and logistics, said the camp was important because it shows what a firefighting career would be like.

“We understand that it's important to have a diverse membership representing our community,” Edgecombe said.

“We're absolutely encouraging women to consider firefighting as a career, as we are all members of our community, and this is a really nice, inclusive experience where women can come without the fear of not being able to perform the physical tasks that are expected of a firefighter.

“We show them that they can absolutely perform these tasks. And it's just a very welcoming environment to come and participate with like-minded individuals who are curious about the career option.”

Andrina Jankulobski travelled from Toronto for the camp.

“It has been the most amazing experience ever,” she said. “Meeting new people, hearing their stories, getting to actually experience being a firefighter is just so amazing.”

She said the camp challenged her and offered hands-on experience.

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2021-09-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

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