Sarnia Fire and Rescue is inviting young women to explore a career in firefighting.
The service is hosting its second Camp FFIT (Female Firefighters In Training) this summer for females aged 15 to 19 who are interested in learning more about firefighting.
Fire Life Safety Educator Mike Otis said participants will get a firsthand look at the career.
"Everything from fire suppression to search and rescue, rope rescue, auto extrication. They'll get a good sample of a lot of the tasks we perform as firefighters."
Otis said the first camp they hosted back in 2019 was very successful and that they received great feedback. Otis said Firefighter Kim Lucier will once again be heading up the camp.
"Diversity's important and women are just as capable. To use Kim's words, she didn't realize it was an option for her going through high school -- it was never talked about -- so she really wants to get the word out there that it's a great career choice for women too."
Otis said Sarnia Fire has six female firefighters of the 117 complement, which is just above the provincial average of about four per cent.
This year's camp goes from August 8 to 12 at the Lambton College Fire School on Lasalle Line.
"The applications have to be in by June 30. We're hoping to get a lot of good applicants again this year."
Otis said space is limited. The camp in 2019 saw 17 women take part.
Camp FFIT was launched in Ottawa in 2009 and has been running yearly across many Ontario communities since.
