A chance for young women aged 14 to 18 to learn everything from operating hose lines and climbing ladders to vehicle extrication, search and rescue, and radio communications.
Young women from across Oxford County and beyond are getting a hands-on look at emergency services this week through the fourth annual Camp 85.
Hosted by the Blandford-Blenheim Fire Service, the free camp alternates each year between male and female participants. This year's camp is for young women aged 14 to 18 and open to anyone interested in learning about emergency services. Participants spend the week rotating through the department's four fire stations, learning everything from operating hose lines and climbing ladders to vehicle extrication, search and rescue, and radio communications.
Fire Chief Drew Davidson said the camp introduces participants to firefighting while also exposing them to other careers in emergency services:
He added they'd be doing dispatch radio communications too, so it's a chance to ask questions and see what career might interest them. About half of this year's participants are from Blandford-Blenheim, while the rest come from neighbouring communities in Oxford County. Davidson said the camp has become an important part of the department's future recruitment efforts:
Participants Anna Follings of Plattsville and Claire Gauvin of Princeton have both been involved with Camp 85 since it began four years ago. After attending the first camp, they now return as volunteers to help mentor new participants. Gauvin said the experience gives young people a chance to explore careers they may never have considered:
Follings said the camp also helps build confidence while teaching teamwork:
Camp 85 takes its name from the Blandford-Blenheim Fire Service's station numbering system. With stations numbered 81 through 84, Davidson said "85" represents all four stations working together toward one common goal.
