A summer camp in London is helping young women and gender-diverse youth envision a future in firefighting — and maybe even see themselves in a uniform one day.
Now in its ninth year, Camp FFIT (Future Fire Fighters in Training) is run by the City of London Fire Department and aims to expose participants to the wide range of careers within the fire service, from frontline suppression to fire prevention and emergency communications.
“The main goal of Camp FFIT is to expose young females and gender-diverse individuals to the different career paths within the fire service,” said Allison Vickerd, a firefighter with London Fire and one of the camp’s organizers. “It’s hard to make a career decision at a young age — this gives them a chance to try it out, learn the options, and see what they’re passionate about.”
The one-week camp, held at London’s fire training facility, runs Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Days begin with a physical workout and move into hands-on training, including hose deployment, search and rescue drills, fire extinguisher use, and lessons in bunker gear and breathing apparatus.
Throughout the week, Vickerd says, the growth in the participants is dramatic.
“By Friday, the personalities and the confidence are through the roof,” she said. “They walk in on Monday a little intimidated, maybe not saying much — and by the end of the week, they’ve found their voice. That’s what keeps us coming back to run this program.”
More than 180 participants have completed the camp since it began in London. Some are now full-time firefighters — including several who return each summer to volunteer with the program.
“To see them walk into the room and say, ‘I sat in your chair nine years ago,’ is incredible,” said Vickerd. “They’re mentoring the next generation. That’s what it’s all about.”
The program also places a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Vickerd says the camp has long welcomed participants from the 2SLGBTQ+ community and helped some build the confidence to live as their authentic selves.
“We want them to know that they are fully welcome to be part of this service,” she said. “We made sure our name reflects that.”
Camp FFIT in London was inspired by a similar program in Ottawa. Since then, other fire services across Ontario have launched their own versions. A list of camps is available at fswco.ca, the Fire Service Women Ontario website.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” said Vickerd. “The more diversity we show in the fire service, the more youth realize this is a path for them.”
She also credited the support of the London Fire Department and the London Professional Firefighters Association, saying their partnership makes the camp possible.
“It takes a lot of effort and passion from everyone involved,” she said. “But the change we see in just five days — that’s why we do it.”