Group of high school students work to put out a simulated car fire (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

YOUNG FIREFIGHTERS

Kamloops Fire Rescue hopes to inspire young women to take up the profession

Apr 24, 2023 | 4:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s not a shock to hear that the firefighting profession is mostly male dominated. In fact, Kamloops Fire Rescue hasn’t hired a female recruit in more than two decades. That firefighter was Erin Holloway, now a captain with KFR. Monday (April 24), Holloway was helping inspire a group of high school girls and possibly future firefighters.

“It’s been a long time since we have had any other female firefighters on with Kamloops Fire. I was the last one back in 2001. To see this many girls interested in the career that I have loved for that long is really special,” said Holloway.

“I think its really cool to see her taking charge. She is a really good role model, I find,” said Sydney Fraser, who’s thinking about pursuing a career in firefighting.

Thirty Grade 10, 11 and 12 students from across the Kamloops-Thompson School District took part in a firefighting experience Monday at the KFR Training facility where they extinguished a car fire, crawled through a burning building and learn about vehicle extrications.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

8h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

Dec 13, 2024

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

Dec 13, 2024

“I’m excited to see what it’s like and actually experience it physically instead of just watching videos and sitting in a classroom. It’s been so much better than I thought it would be,” said Grade 11 student Shalane Anne Barker.

The young recruits also learned about medical calls, which make up 80 per cent of call into KFR.

Holloway hopes the overall experience will lead some of the young women to consider something new. She hopes the department can begin to better reflect the community it serves with more women in uniform.

“It’s just nice to give these girls an opportunity to see that this is something that is out there. And if it’s not firefighting, it’s firefighting adjacent that they think, ‘Hey, I might want to have a look at that.’ Just because it’s dominated historically by men, it doesn’t mean that they cant work there way in like the rest of us have,” said Holloway.

Twenty-two years since the last woman was hired by KFR, the tides are already changing with more joining the ranks as dispatchers and soon in firefighting roles, as well.

“This has kind of opened a new door for me, something that is very interesting, something that I might want to pursue,” said Barker.

“I think it’s really important to see what kind of options you have as career paths. I think this program is a great way to show young women what they can do and the opportunities they can have,” added Fraser.

This was the first experience for young women with Kamloops Fire Rescue, but it’s expected it won’t be the last.