The Botetourt County Fire & EMS Girls Fire Camp has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
It’s a common fact that fire and EMS is a male-dominated field. Only 4% of career firefighters and 11% of volunteer firefighters are women. Botetourt Fire & EMS is working on changing this stigma, one girl at a time and they made huge strides by hosting the inaugural Girls’ Fire Camp on June 18, 2022. This event was inspired by career and volunteer female firefighters in the department’s workforce. Planning for the event began in May of 2021. During the months of planning and revising the program, personnel were also successful in securing a grant totaling $5,000 from the International Association of Fire Chiefs Volunteer Workforce Solutions Grant program to offset costs and make the camp a reality.
The fire service has an ever-growing need for a diverse workforce and this camp showed girls that this job isn’t just for guys! The one-day camp was offered for rising 1st-12th graders and was established to inspire girls of all ages to see possible career opportunities in Fire & EMS. Through multiple age-appropriate modules, girls were able to learn what fire and EMS is all about.
This camp was also dedicated in honor of the late Fire & EMS Captain, Helen “Gracey” Humbert, who served within the department for over a decade. Gracey passed away in April of 2022 after battling breast cancer. She was the essence of what a female can be in the fire service and her story and legacy were shared as part of the camp. Registration was limited to 50 girls, and it sold out in 1 DAY! Campers were able to:
- Use a hose to “put out a fire” and “save” a victim
- Climb over an obstacle course
- CPR and basic First Aid
- Participate in a Dummy Drag Relay
- Learn about Fire Science
- Vehicle Extrication
“We are very proud that our fire & EMS department are being recognized at the national level for this innovative opportunity for young women in our community,” says Botetourt County Board of Supervisors Chair Dr. Mac Scothorn. “Girls Fire Camp has also been recognized by the Virginia Association of Counties and the Public Relations Society of America. We are thrilled that our Fire & EMS personnel are being honored for a job well done.”
Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards are given in 18 categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and more. Launched in 1970, the program is designed to recognize innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications.
“The Achievement Awards demonstrate excellence in county government and the commitment to serve our residents every day,” said NACo President Denise Winfrey. “This year’s winners represent some of the most innovative and collaborative efforts we have seen in over 50 years of presenting these awards.”
Get Fired Up! Botetourt County’s Department of Fire & EMS is excited to announce its second annual Girls’ Fire Camp returning in June 2023. This event has been inspired by career and volunteer female firefighters of the department’s workforce. The fire service has the ever growing need for a diverse workforce and ladies, you can be part of this amazing profession!
This year’s camp takes place on June 24th, for rising 1st through 10th graders. This camp was established to inspire girls of all ages to see possible career opportunities in Fire &EMS. Through multiple age-appropriate modules, girls will be able to learn what Fire &EMS is all about.
The camp is being dedicated in the honor of late Fire & EMS Captain, Helen “Gracey” Humbert, who served within the department for over a decade. She was the essence of what a female can be in the fire service, so we will be sharing her story and honoring her legacy as part of this camp.
Registrations for this camp sold out in one day! For more information about Girls Fire Camp, visit www.botetourtva.gov/fireems.
About Botetourt County: Botetourt County (Pop. 33,494) is a 546 sq. mile community in Southwestern Virginia. The rural community is in the southwestern portion of the state in the scenic Roanoke Valley of Virginia. Strategically located on Interstate 81, and just 20 miles south of Interstate 64, Botetourt County is accessible to the markets of the Mid-West, the Mid-Atlantic, and the entire Eastern Seaboard. Botetourt County has a five-member elected Board of Supervisors which oversees most of the county’s government-related operations. In addition, Botetourt County has a complete administrative staff that works under the direction of a County Administrator who is hired by the Board of Supervisors to run day-to-day operations.
About NACO: The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government. www.naco.org
