Camp FFIT

Camp FFIT is the flagship camp for Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO) and was the catalyst to the creation of the organization. The camp was developed by Ottawa Fire Services as a grassroots recruitment tool, one of many outreach activities coordinated to target demographic groups with low applicant rates.

The camp offers a unique introduction to a career in the fire service to young women. The camp offers a glimpse into the physical, mental and emotional challenges of the career. The Camp curriculum is similar to what can be found in many professional fire departments, simplified and shortened to give the young women an opportunity to complete as many evolutions as possible. The girls take part in physical fitness training, learn about PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), and fire ground skills such as ventilation, search and rescue, hose control, proper carrying techniques and use of ladders, extrication, rappelling and tying knots.

Camp FFIT has been recognized as a ground breaking, award winning program, winning the City Manager's Award of Excellence, the highest honour bestowed upon a City of Ottawa employee, nominated for a Diversity award, awarded the Mayor's Agent of Change Commemorative Coin and recognized by the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) as part of the award winning Fire and Paramedic Services Diversity program.

Camp FFIT and members of Fire Service Women Ontario have helped to support the creation of camps in many other communities. For more information about Ottawa’s Camp FFIT, please contact campffit@ottawa.ca.

Active Camps

Camp Molly - Vaughan

May 9th-12th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.

Registration Opens: Jan 26th

Registration Closes: March 9th
Camp Molly- Kingston

May 23rd-26th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.
Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
- Registration Opens: Feb 9th
- Registration Closes: March 23rd
- ALL INDIGENOUS
Camp Molly- White City, Saskatchewan

June 6th-9th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
- Registration Opens: Feb 21st
- Registration Closes: April 6th
Camp Molly- Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

June 13th-16th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
- Registration Opens: Feb 28th
- Registration Closes: April 13th
- ALL INDIGENOUS
Camp FFIT - Kitchener

June 25th - 28th, 2024

Kitchener’s Camp FFIT is open to young women ages 15-19 years of age who are interested in learning more about a future career in the Fire Service.

Camp FFIT Kitchener is four days of physically and mentally demanding hands-onlearning. Participants are subjected to some of the duties a firefighter may face on any given day. Some of these duties include but are not limited to;

 Auto extrication (use of heavy hydraulic tools)

 High angle rescue scenarios

 Search and Rescue

 Extinguisher training

 Hoses and fire hydrants

 First-aid and CPR scenarios

This program aims to empower and educate young women into considering a career as a viable option in the fire service. Participants will have daily opportunities to speak to men and women who work with the Kitchener Fire Department about a career in firefighting or other fire service careers such as Prevention, Communications, and Public Education.

Camp FFIT Kitchener is supported by Fire Service Women Ontario, The City of Kitchener and Conestoga College Pre-Service Firefighting program.

*Important dates*

Camp Dates: Tuesday June 25 – Friday June 28, 2024

Applications Open: March 18^th, 2024 – on the City of Kitchener’s website (www.kitchener.ca/FFIT)

Online Info Night: March 6^th at 7pm – please email kfdffp@kitchener.ca for more information

Applications Close: April 15^th at 10am
Camp Courage - Halifax

June 29th-July 7th, 2024

The First Responders Society is a registered charity established by firefighter Andréa Speranza, in January 2006, for the purpose of introducing young women aged 15- 19 to careers as first responders; primarily paramedics, police officers, and firefighters. The ultimate goal is that the young women will leave with a sense of empowerment and the confidence to believe that they can achieve any goal, career or dream they desire.

We are proud to offer our Camp Courage Indigenous from June 29th to July 7th, 2024
- Application deadline is 15 March 2024 at midnight
Bells and Ladders - Brockville Fire Department Girls Firefighting Camp

July 3rd-5th, 2024

Brockville Fire Department is please to announce the launch of Belles and Ladders - BFD Girls Firefighting Camp. This camp is open to young women between the ages of 15-18 years old and is free of charge for participants. Participants will have hands on training in skills they’d face as firefighters. The goals of this camp are to inspire young women to consider a career in the fire service but more importantly to be empowered, to have the confidence to believe they can achieve any goal they set their minds to.
Camp Molly - Orillia/Rama

July 11th-14th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
- Registration Opens: March 28th
- Registration Closes: May 11th
- Lake Country ‘Orillia/Rama/Ramara/Oro-Medonte & Severn’
Island Ignite - Victoria

July 12th-14th, 2024

Our mission is to engage female youth in a way that encourages and empowers them through fire fighting.We aim to create unique opportunities to gain hands on experience with the tools associated with firefighting and build confidence through team activities hosted on active fire training grounds around Vancouver Island.
Calling all Grade 11 & 12 girls on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Sunshine Coast!

Do you have an interest in learning about what it takes to work in emergency services?

You are invited to share in this unique experience while working with a team of like minded friends who share your passion for challenge and adventure.

To be considered for participation please complete the Island Ignite Participant Application Form and email into info@islandignite.com
Camp Courage - Calgary

July 15th-21st, 2024

The First Responders Society is an incorporated non-profit company established by firefighter Andréa Speranza, in January 2006, for the purpose of introducing young women aged 15- 18 to careers as first responders; primarily paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.

The ultimate goal is that the young women will leave with a sense of empowerment and the confidence to believe that they can achieve any goal, career or dream they desire.

Pre-Camp:

· Application Portal Now Open!

· Application forms due by midnight March 20, 2024

· Selected participants will be notified the week of in early May 2024.
Camp FFIT London (Future Firefighters in Training)

July 15th-19th, 2024

Camp FFIT (Future Firefighters in Training) is a week-long program that aims to show young women, gender diverse youth and transgender youth between the ages of 15 and 19 that firefighting is a viable career option. From a pool of applicants, 20 participants are selected to receive hands-on training they’d face as firefighters. The purpose of Camp FFIT is to encourage more gender diversity in the many branches of fire service.

Throughout the week, campers are trained on fire prevention, auto extrication, ladder operations, search and rescue, fire scenarios, fire dispatch communications and countless other skills that firefighters perform throughout their career. The training is valuable, yet extremely intense and physically demanding.

Participants will also have an opportunity to speak to London Fire Department staff to learn about firefighting as well as other fire service careers, including communications, investigations, fire prevention and public education.

Camp FFIT is committed creating both a physical and emotionally safe camp experience that allows all participants to feel a sense of inclusion and belonging.

Application details:
- Applications available at London.ca/campffit and will be accepted until April 19^th.
- Selected participants will be notified by May 3 2024.
Camp Molly - Eeyou Istchee, Quebec

July 25th-28th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
- Registration Opens: April 11th
- Registration Closes: May 25th
- ALL INDIGENOUS
Camp Ignite Metro Vancouver

August 8th-11th, 2024

Camp Ignite is a 4-day camp that educates and inspires young women to follow their dreams. The camp is open to British Columbia girls in grades 11 and 12 (ages 16 to 18), and gives them an introduction to the world of firefighting. Aside from firefighting, each participant will learn about fitness, nutrition, health, and teamwork.
Camp FFIT Ottawa

August 12th- 16th, 2024

Camp FFIT Ottawa is open to young women ages 15-19.

The City of Ottawa, in partnership with Fire Service Women Ontario(link is external), presents a unique opportunity for diverse groups of young women, non-binary, and trans youth from all social backgrounds, ages 15 to 19 years old, to learn what it takes to be a firefighter and experience a potential career path.

Participants will be able to learn more about a career in firefighting by working together with:
- Career and volunteer firefighters from Ottawa Fire Services
- Firefighters from neighbouring communities
- Recent graduates from a Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program
Skills and activities

Participants will get to experience:
- Basic firefighting
- Wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Use Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
- Pump/ladder operations basics
- Personal fitness and nutrition information
- Ground ladder set up and climb
- Aerial ladder climb
- Auto extrication
- Technical rescue basics
- Low visibility search and rescue
- Forcible entry
- Catching hydrants
- High-rise operations (stair climb, hook up and hand line operation)
- Fighting simulated kitchen and car fires
Camp Molly - Township of King, Ontario

August 15th-18th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
- Registration Opens: May 1st
- Registration Closes: Jun 15th
Camp Molly - Thunder Bay

Sept 5th-8th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
- Registration Opens: May 22nd
- Registration Closes: July 5th
Camp Molly - Barrie

September 26th-29th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
- Registration Opens:June 12th
- Registration Closes: July 26th
Camp FFIT Hamilton

October 4th-6th, 2024

Camp FFIT Hamilton is open to young women ages 16-20. It is a 3 day camp that takes place in October each year.
Camp Molly - Hanover

October 17th-20th, 2024

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
- Registration Opens: July 3rd
- Registration Closes: August 17th
Camp Inspire for Indigenous Peoples -- Edmonton

June 2nd - 4th, 2023

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services is excited to offer the inaugural Camp Inspire for Indigenous Peoples – a firefighting camp designed to promote firefighting as a viable and rewarding career for Indigenous Peoples of all backgrounds and genders.

Modelled after Camp Inspire for women and gender-diverse individuals, this edition of the camp will:
- Provide Indigenous Peoples from all backgrounds and genders an introduction to the fire service in a safe, inclusive way
- Provide simulated fire ground training
- Provide skills and information that participants can take back to share within their community
- Provide an opportunity for self-growth and confidence building
It is an opportunity to work alongside members of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, ask questions and meet others interested in the firefighting profession.

Applications are accepted February 8 - 26, 2023 through edmonton.ca/CampInspire.
Camp Courage - St. John New Brunswick

Aug 28th - Aug 31st 2023

Camp Courage New Brunswick's inaugural camp will occur between August 28^th to August 31^st in Saint John, New Brunswick. It's an empowering program that introduces young women and gender-diverse youth ages 15-19 to emergency services careers, specifically firefighting, policing and paramedicine careers. The application deadline is June 25^th, 2023.
Camp Inspire - Edmonton

September 15th-17th, 2023

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services is excited to launch Camp Inspire - a firefighting camp designed to promote firefighting as a viable and rewarding career for women and gender diverse communities.

Camp Inspire will:
- Provide an introduction to the fire service in a safe, inclusive way
- Provide simulated fire ground training
- Foster leadership skills in a supportive environment
- Strengthen self-esteem and build confidence
- Promote the representation of women, and people of gender diverse communities, from all backgrounds as firefighters
Girls in Gear - Kingston

July 17-20, 2023

The mission of Girls in Gear is to introduce girls between the ages of 15 and 18 to the fire service. They will be challenged by the firefighting scenarios and empowered by the opportunities. Campers will learn about all divisions of the fire service.

Inactive Camps

Camp Molly - Fort Erie

May 11th -14th 2023

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
Camp Molly - Zorra

June 1st-4th, 2023

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
Camp Molly - Brant

July 13th-16th, 2023

Camp Phoenix is a free, immersive experience for girls aged 14-18 to simulate real-life scenarios in all areas of fire prevention and suppression, search and rescue, auto extrication, basic first aid and more.
Camp Molly - Quinte

July 13-16th, 2023

“A camp that’s four days and it’s fully sponsored by local stakeholders and businesses. And it targets 15- to 18-year-old girls. And we teach them about all the possibilities of a career in fire service – not just suppression, but investigation, communications, prevention, education. There’s a whole world out there in the fire service that’s available to them.” Chief Belaire
Jr Firefighter Camp - Sarnia Fire & Lambton College

August 8-11, 2023

This exciting, action-packed camp has been developed to educate and entertain the Junior Fire Fighter. Campers learn a multitude of fire safety topics and engage in hands-on learning experiences. Transportation provided from Lambton College to our Fire & Public Safety Centre of Excellence. Morning drop-off begins at 8:30am at Lambton College main campus.
Camp Molly - Caledon

Aug 17th - 20th, 2023

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
Camp Molly - Sudbury

Aug 24th-27th, 2023

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
Camp Molly - Durham

Sept 14 - 17, 2023

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.
Camp Ignite Mississauga

2015-present

The weeklong camp allows participants to experience a scaled-back version of fire recruit training. They will be learning about basic first aid and a myriad of other skills firefighters use throughout their careers.
Camp FFIT Huntsville/Lake of Bays

2017

Our Camp FFIT (Female Firefighters in Training) gives young women ages 15-18 the opportunity to explore this fun, exciting, and physically challenging profession. During this camp they will learn and practice a variety of firefighter skills and work as a team with other young women in a supportive, non-threatening environment.
Camp Molly - Oakville

Sept 23rd-26th, 2021

This camp will provide young women who may not have considered the possibility of pursuing a career in the fire services with an introduction into various career opportunities available, including fire suppression, training, communications, fire prevention, fire investigations, public education, public information and media relations, and fire code enforcement. Camp Molly is named after Molly Williams, the first recorded female firefighter in North America.
Jr Firefighters Camp - Hanover

August 3-6, 2021

Ever wonder what it was like to be a firefighter? Come learn with Captain Rob Hagan and Firefighter Christina Schnell as we experience hands on activities of using portabe fire extinguishers, hooking up hydrants, using hoses and rope rescue skills. We will also explore the world of firefighting tools, smoke/CO alarms and bunker gear. As well as some basic first aid, water rescue skills, home fire safety and escape planning. Add in some cooperative games and challenges for the complete week of fun and learning! We are confident it will be an unforgettable experience!

Date: August 3-6, 2021 -- Code 7660

Where: Lions Den -- P&H Centre

Time: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Age & Cost: 8-12 years -- $159.00
Camp Molly - Brantford

September 15th - 18th, 2022

Camp Molly pays tribute to the first female firefighter on record in North America, Molly Williams. The camp is a unique, hands-on opportunity for young women in grades 11 and 12 gain an introduction to fire services during a period where many teens are making career decisions. Participants will gain an understanding of the career paths available within each division of the fire services through carefully planned activities.

Camp FFIT

Active Camps

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.

Camp Molly provides the opportunity for these young women to meet and engage with strong female role models in their community and the entire 4-day camp experience is free.

Our goal at Camp Molly remains the same; to show young females aged 15 to 18 years old that a career in the fire service is a viable and rewarding option.

Calling all Grade 11 & 12 girls on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Sunshine Coast!

Skills and activities

The mission of Girls in Gear is to introduce girls between the ages of 15 and 18 to the fire service. They will be challenged by the firefighting scenarios and empowered by the opportunities. Campers will learn about all divisions of the fire service.

Inactive Camps

Jr Firefighters Camp - Hanover