Goodyear Fire Department hosts camp to empower young women in emergency services 

By Mary Goldmeer
Mail

Thirty high school girls are suiting up with the Goodyear Fire Department as part of its annual Camp F.I.R.E.S., a five-day experience designed to introduce young women to careers in emergency services while building confidence, resilience and leadership skills.

Camp F.I.R.E.S., short for Females in Responding Emergency Services, runs June 16-20 and includes hands-on fire and emergency medical activities, team-building exercises and mentorship from public safety professionals.

Now in its ninth year, the camp continues to grow in both size and impact since its 2015 launch. Participants work side by side with firefighters and paramedics, both men and women, to complete physically and mentally demanding tasks.

Participants climb 100-foot ladders, crawl through dark, enclosed spaces, perform search and rescues, and learn to work around firefighting gear. Daily workouts and skill-building exercises are structured to push students out of their comfort zones and reinforce the value of mental toughness.

Career-focused camps like this one play a critical role in helping teens explore professional pathways in a real-world environment. Officials said by providing early exposure to fields like emergency services, Camp F.I.R.E.S. gives participants a head start in considering future careers, whether or not they ultimately pursue firefighting.

The hands-on structure of the camp demystifies what first responders actually do, giving students the chance to try out high-stakes tasks in a supportive setting.

“We do skills courses in the morning. We put our gear on and exercise to do things that mimic things we do every day at work,” said Meghan Golbach, captain paramedic with the Goodyear Fire Department. “We want to show them that they’re capable of doing hard things, whether or not they want to be a firefighter in the future.”

According to Golbach, campers often show dramatic personal growth in just a few days.

“We see a difference in them from the first day that they’re here. As the week goes on, we put them through tests, both physical and mental, and they work together as a team and they continue to grow,” she said.

The camp also serves as a tool for building self-confidence, resilience, and soft skills that translate far beyond emergency services. Through problem-solving, teamwork and physical challenge, students gain a sense of achievement and self-efficacy.

“I was mentored by many, many people throughout my life in different areas, and now as a mentor I see how important it is to guide these girls and push them to see that they are capable,” Golbach said. “Having someone there to help guide you when you need it is awesome.”

Exposure to women in leadership roles also challenges traditional gender assumptions and opens doors for girls in fields where female representation is still growing. By working closely with first responders, students gain insight into what’s possible and what they’re capable of doing.

“Conquering some of their fears now will be able to give them the tools to be able to conquer their fears in the future,” Golbach said.

According to Goldbach, for many, Camp F.I.R.E.S. is more than a summer program, it’s a launchpad for future ambition, mentorship and lifelong confidence.