By Matt de Simone
It was an exciting Saturday afternoon for Botetourt’s youth.
Botetourt County Fire & EMS’s third annual Girls’ Fire Camp saw 52 campers participate in an educational morning filled with fire safety skills, Stop the Bleed training, and a visit from the Carilion Life-Guard helicopter.
When asked about last weekend’s educational event, Botetourt County Fire & EMS Retention Specialist Taylor Lunsford shared “Camp was incredible and the girls had a blast!”
The camp has earned past recognitions that include an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) received for the inaugural camp that took place in the summer of 2022. This year, upcoming 1st-12th graders teamed up and learn more about the job performed by emergency workers who help to continue keeping the county safe.
Young girls had the opportunity to experience hands-on training through various interactive modules led by members of Botetourt’s Fire and EMS workers. Fire trucks, ambulances, and specialized equipment were made available for campers to see up close, learning more about how apparatus perform in the field.
Some of the accomplished women who work in the emergency field spoke with campers during the training modules and gave important insight into what the campers could expect if they wanted to work in the emergency field in the future.
Funding for this year’s Girls’ Fire Camp was provided by a FEMA SAFER grant with the International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer Workforce Solutions.
The Botetourt County Girls’ Fire Camp will return in 2025, but an official date has yet to be determined. For more information about Botetourt County Fire & EMS and stay up to date on news, visit www.botetourtva.gov/160/Fire-EMS.
