A pair of Delta girls will get to experience firsthand what it takes to be a firefighter at the annual Camp Ignite firefighting camp next month.
Ingrid Malmberg from Tsawwassen and Hailey Lemon from North Delta will represent the Delta Fire Department at the four-day camp that helps to educate and inspire young women to follow their dreams.
Open to girls in grades 11 and 12, the camp gives them an introduction to the world of firefighting. Each participant learns about fitness, nutrition, health and team work. The camp runs from Aug. 10 to 13 at a variety of locations throughout Greater Vancouver.
Delta deputy fire Chief Guy McKintuck said the department received 12 applications this year, but the two successful applicants stood out from the rest.
"Each applicant had to complete an essay on the topic of someone they admired or been mentored by in the community or in the world," said McKintuck. "We were just very impressed with the essays, how both of them presented themselves and their desire and passion to learn more about firefighting. Delta is very proud to have these two applicants representing us this year."
Malmberg already attended a firefighting camp during her spring break. She is hoping the skills she learned then will put her even further ahead when she attends Camp Ignite.
"I now have a better understanding of what is involved," she said. "I want to do it again and keep learning, keep pushing myself. Firefighting is definitely something that I want to pursue as a career."
For Lemon, learning more about frontline firefighting is her goal of the Camp Ignite experience.
"This is a great opportunity to experience that training and see first-hand what is involved," Lemon said. "I really see this as a career opportunity someday."
McKintuck said the local department is part of the program so it can encourage young females to get involved in the fire service.
"There is a lot more males than females, so we want to get as many females interested as possible and hopefully more in not only our department, but other departments as well," McKintuck said.
"This is a great opportunity. From the past participants, they have all said it has been a very positive experience, so we are hoping more of the same from these two."
