FSWNYS Hosts Annual Phoenix Firecamp

Phoenix Firecamp 2014 graduated 16 teenage girls, ages 15-19, from the intensive annual training week conducted by Fire Service Women of New York State, Inc. (FSWNYS), which is aimed at interesting young women in joining the fire and emergency services. The program began in 2007 and to date there are 157 graduates.

Of the 23 female instructors and team leaders, there were 15 from New York state volunteer departments, four from the FDNY, one each from the Rochester, Ridge Road, and Buffalo Fire Departments, and one from a corporate fire department. FSWNYS welcomes qualified women firefighters from throughout the United States and Canada to apply for a staff position, understanding the camp is entirely volunteer and staff pay all their own expenses.

The 2014 graduates are: Brittany Bartell (Canandaigua), Victoria Carl (Voorheesville), Ashley Chapman (Mumford), Megan Dumas (Malone), Maddie Duvall (Elmira), Kendall Gallant (Hudson), Lealynn Heald (Hudson), Alison Holmes (Albany), Victoria Lee (Syracuse), Alysa Mumbulo (Norwich), Nora Restrepo (Staten Island), Paige Roberts (Patent), Michaela Rogers (Lockwood), Anneliese Selheim (East Meadow), Miranda Shafer (Oswego), and Grace Sturges (Keene Valley).

The City of Utica Fire Department and Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department partner with FSWNYS in producing the camp. Utica provides camper housing, logistical support, equipment, EMS coverage, and the use of its apparatus, fire houses, and training grounds. Westmoreland donates transportation, hosts two evening social events, secures donations from area businesses, and coordinates the participation of other Mohawk Valley volunteer fire departments and their auxiliaries. The Frankfort Fire Department again contributed its mobile flashover simulator and the Yorkville Fire Department made its aerial ladder truck available.

Click here for photos and information about Phoenix Firecamp. 2015 applications and specifics will be posted after January 1, 2015.