Role Models for the Next Generation

Camp Blaze 2007

In the U.S., fire camps for young women got their start with the ‘Fire Service Mini Camp’ sponsored by San Diego Fire and Life Safety Services in July 1999. Tamarah Castenẽda of San Diego Fire and Life Safety Services and Deanna Lewis of Tubac Fire Department were the camp directors. Despite graduating 29, the camp wasn’t able to open its doors again in 2000. Eight fire service women who had planned to volunteer that summer decided to meet in San Diego. They were the following:

• Lieutenant Amy Bannister, Seattle Fire Department
• Battalion Chief Marlene Heisey, California Department of Forestry and Fire
• Firefighter Sherri Hauch, Fort Worth Fire Department
• Lieutenant Suzy Rueblin, Boulder Fire Department
• Firefighter Alissa Van Nort, San Francisco Fire Department
• Firefighter Karen Kerr, San Francisco Fire Department
• Firefighter Deborah Carlson, San Diego Fire and Life Safety
• Firefighter/Paramedic Patricia White, San Diego Fire and Life Safety

The group conceived Camp Blaze—"blaze" representing fire and "trail blaze/trailblazer." An apt description for women in the fire service!

Firefighter/Paramedic Alex Delgaudio started rallying support within the Colorado Springs Fire Department for a camp in 2001. Summer Heat was launched in 2002. Firefighter/Paramedic Lisa Smith is credited with taking over from Alex and making Summer Heat what it is today.

Captain Julie Harper, with the Overland Park Fire Department in Kansas, began planning for Camp Inferno in 2003. This summer’s program will be Camp Inferno’s fourth class.

Firefighter Jess Wyman, with the Nashua Fire Department in New Hampshire, is the driving force behind Camp Fully Involved. It had its inaugural year in 2007.

Lt. Anna Schermerhorn Collins, from the New York Fire Department, is the Camp Director for Phoenix Firecamp, sponsored by Fire Service Women of New York State, Inc.

In Canada, firefighter Andréa Speranza, with the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services, established Camp Courage in January 2006. The camp introduces young women to the three careers as first responders—paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.

Through amazing collaboration, collegiality, and supportiveness, the firefighters we showcase here and the hundreds of volunteers who join in making the camps possible are modeling transformational leadership!