Blaze Fire Academy – Oakville Fire Department in partnership with Burlington, Milton, and Halton Hills Fire Departments
About Blaze Fire Academy
Blaze Fire Academy is a collaborative initiative created by the Oakville Fire Department in partnership with Burlington, Milton, and Halton Hills Fire Departments. This innovative program provides inclusive, hands-on learning opportunities for youth interested in exploring careers in the fire service. The camp’s purpose is clear: to break barriers, build leaders, and blaze trails for the next generation of firefighters.
Over the course of two immersive days, participants—primarily young women and gender-diverse youth—are introduced to firefighting through real-world training scenarios. These include hose handling, search and rescue, medical response, and auto extrication. The camp is led by a diverse team of instructors and volunteers, many from communities historically underrepresented in the fire service. Their presence and leadership offer participants invaluable role models and a genuine sense of belonging.
Impact and Innovation
What sets Blaze apart is its intentional focus on inclusion and representation. From the welcoming atmosphere to the encouragement for participants to ask questions, take risks, and support one another, every aspect of the program is designed to empower. Deputy Chief Kalpana Rajgopalan’s vision of “breaking barriers, building leaders, blazing trails” is evident in every element of the camp.
Blaze Fire Academy also distinguishes itself from other youth-focused fire service programs through its robust recruitment of volunteers who are currently enrolled in, or recent graduates of, pre-service fire programs. This unique approach not only enhances the participant experience by surrounding them with near-peer mentors, but it also creates an invaluable opportunity for senior fire leaders to observe emerging talent firsthand. By showcasing their developing firefighting skills and knowledge, these pre-service volunteers demonstrate their readiness and passion for the
profession. In turn, Blaze has become an effective outreach and recruitment strategy for fire services across Canada, helping departments identify and connect with talented women and men who aspire to careers in the fire service.
Chief Paul Boissonneault underscores the academy’s broader impact, emphasizing Blaze’s role in helping “so many different demographics through an inclusive lens to thrive, explore, engage, and succeed.” This impact was evident as several youth expressed that they had never considered a career in firefighting until Blaze made them see themselves in the profession for the first time.
Oakville fire Department Public Education Officer Alicia Petz, one of the key creators of the Camp Blaze program stressed the importance of how investing in youth builds strong, resilient leaders for tomorrow. The academy achieves this not only for its participants, but also for volunteers and pre-service firefighters who gain experience, mentorship, and inspiration from contributing to the camp.
Alignment with FSWO’s Mission
Blaze Fire Academy directly reflects FSWO’s mission to encourage, educate, and empower women in the fire service. It is more than a camp—it is a model for how intentional programming can shape the future of the profession by fostering inclusion, building confidence, and ensuring that all youth feel they have a place in the fire service.
Conclusion
For its leadership, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion, Blaze Fire Academy is a shining example of how innovative initiatives can transform the culture of the fire service. Its success is a testament to the vision and leadership of Chief Paul Boissonneault, Deputy Chief Kalpana Rajgopalan, and the dedicated teams from Oakville, Burlington, Milton, and Halton Hills Fire Departments.