AVONDALE, Ariz. — Fewer people are signing up to be firefighters, especially women. Cities across the Valley are doing what they can to show the benefits of the job and why, for some, it'd be a good fit.
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Captain Paramedic, Kristina Lopez, has answered the call for help for the past six years.
"Just taking pride in what we do, what we do together and what we do for the community," she said. "It's been great. I've learned a ton about myself and about other people. I've learned about the importance of surrounding yourself around people who want you to succeed."
Lopez is one of six women currently with the Avondale Fire Department. It's about 7% of the force, which is above the national average.
"Females in the fire service are rare," she said. "Nationally about 5% of firefighters are female."
Still, Lopez as well as the city, want to see more.
"The City of Avondale and the Avondale Fire Administration really believe that encouraging more women to apply to our department and neighboring departments is going to make for better services," said Community Outreach Coordinator, Gabbi Bobinsky.
That's why this year, the Avondale Fire Department is hosting its first-ever 'Camp HERo.' It's a free, two-day event for girls 14-18 years of age and is meant to show girls first-hand what it takes to be a firefighter.
"On the first day, girls will be getting their own set of turnouts they get to use for the entire event," Bobinsky said. "In the days following they'll be able to do a lot of the skills our firefighters do every day. This camp is going to be beneficial, especially for girls who know they want to be a firefighter."
Girls will also get a lesson in CPR, Search and Rescue and other sometimes challenging activities. The goal is to gain interest and show the important role women play.
"Because it is great for females," Lopez said. "We go on so many different calls and there are so many times where patients are more responsive to me because I'm a female, or they open up more to me because I'm there like it definitely makes a significant difference."
Even if there's hesitation, Lopez encourages girls to come out because the job she fell in love with six years ago could end up being the same path that's a fit for someone else.
"You can do this," she said.
The event is free and takes place November 15-17, 2024. Girls between the ages of 14 and 18 years old are invited to apply. For more information and registration details, visit the Avondale Fire and Medical Department website. Space is limited.