Girls' Future Firefighter Camp Empowers Young Women

Now in its fourth summer, Girls’ Future Firefighter Camp (GFFC) is a free training program that introduces girls ages 13-18 to a career in public safety. Designed to promote self-confidence and empower young women to become leaders in their communities, the program demonstrates and encourages outside the box thinking.

The brain child of Hartford Fire Captain Shelly Carter, GFFC this year is expanding its hands-on training by partnering with the Rocky Hill Fire Department training division to offer campers the opportunity to use real-life firefighting equipment. Twenty-two girls have enrolled in the program which takes place over five all-day sessions on Fridays June 28, July 12, July 19, July 26, and August 2 (which includes a graduation ceremony).

“It is so important to give back to the community,” says Captain Carter. “The idea that women are not capable of long lasting careers in the fire service or any public safety career is just not true. It is my hope that as we build confidence in these young ladies, that we take them by the hand and show them they can be leaders in their homes, schools, and careers. This camp was created to remove the myths about what we do as firefighters as well as open their eyes to a bright future. I must let these girls know that they are strong, confident, and brave and, yes, they can be anything they want to be.”

Under the direction of Retired Chief Christina Burkert, instructors from around the United States will volunteer their time to help the campers learn new skills. GFFC curriculum highlights include:

• CPR and AED
• Visit and Tour of Hartford Hospital and Life Star
• Physical Training
• Fire Extinguisher Training
• Dispatch Operations with a visit to Hartford Fire and Police Dispatch Center
• Hose Line Operations
• Ladder Operations
• Ropes and Knots
• Pump Operations
• Law Enforcement
• Arson Investigation and Code Enforcement
• Forensics and Evidence Preservation
• Report Writing
• Nursing
• Litigation preparation and a mock trial

GFFC is 100 percent free to attendees. This year’s partners include: Hartford Hospital, Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department, Lilly Caterers, and the Everyday Hero CT program (via the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association). To support GFFC with a donation, visit www.GirlsFutureFirefighterCamp.com.

About Captain Carter

Captain Shelly L. Carter began her fire service career with the City of Hartford Fire Department in July 1999. She was assigned to Engine Company 9 where she worked as a structural firefighter until she was promoted to Pump Operator in December 2011. Having to prove herself among a predominately male role, she began to reach for higher success. In August 2015, P.O. Carter was promoted to Lieutenant in the Fire Marshal’s office where she was working as a Fire Prevention Lieutenant, Arson Investigator, Plans Reviewer, and Fire Code Official. Lieutenant Carter was detailed to the Special Services Division as well as the Training Division as in instructor. She was promoted to Captain in May 2019 and is now the Executive Officer for Hartford Fire. Captain Carter is also an instructor at the Connecticut Fire Academy.

About Everyday Hero CT

Everyday Hero CT, a program dedicated to increasing the number of volunteer firefighters throughout the state. A partnership of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Everyday Hero CT campaign is a Volunteer Workforce Solutions (VWS) initiative designed to address the shortage of volunteer firefighters in Connecticut. It is helping achieve a viable and sustainable volunteer firefighter workforce for fire departments throughout Connecticut. Everyday Hero CT is funded by a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded to the CFCA by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a model to enhance the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.