Archive: Around Town

Adele O’Rourke, 18, of Ithaca was one of 22 young women from the U.S. and Canada who graduated from the 6th annual Phoenix Firecamp, a weeklong overnight camp in Utica, NY that is designed to introduce teenage girls to the opportunities for women in fire and emergency services. The daughter of  Patricia Anne and Dr. Thomas O’Rourke, she attends Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Adele is a member of the Cayuga Heights Fire Department.

The nationally recognized program, conducted by Fire Service Women of New York State, Inc.(FSWNYS), was the first of its kind in the Northeastern US and remains one of the few nationwide. Camp Director Lt. Anna Schermerhorn-Collins (FDNY) said this year’s campers were the most diverse group since the program began in 2007; to date there are 119 graduates.“We had three young women who are members of volunteer fire departments, nine from Explorer Posts, three with limited EMS training and the other seven had no prior exposure to fire and emergency services.”

“We use fire ground and classroom training for more than teaching basic skills,” said Schermerhorn-Collins. “The curriculum is also designed to develop confidence, enhance leadership skills, foster friendly competition, nurture community spirit, broaden problem solving abilities, encourage team building and promote inclusiveness.”


The hands-on exercises include: aerial ladder climb, basic engine and ladder operations, forcible entry, search and rescue, auto extrication and disentanglement, SCBA usage, water rescue, basic ropes and knots and a propane drill. Classroom learning focuses on nutrition, fitness, fire safety, the chemistry of fire, SCBA orientation and differentiating between engines and ladders. At the conclusion of the week, the campers are CPR certified. The curriculum is based upon International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) guidelines.

“The schedule is rigorous,” said Schermerhorn-Collins,” but there is a lot of time built in to socialize, relax, have fun and make new friends.”

Camper housing is at the Utica Fire Academy, a former firehouse, so the girls have a genuine firehouse living experience. The Phoenix instructors and team leaders are all female members of career and volunteer fire departments in New York and other states who volunteer their time and pay their own expenses for the week.

The City of Utica Fire Department and the Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department partner with FSWNYS in producing the camp. Utica FD provides camper housing, logistical support, equipment, EMS coverage and the use of its apparatus, firehouses and the training grounds. Westmoreland VFD donates transportation, hosts two evening social events, secures donations from area businesses and coordinates the participation of other Mohawk Valley volunteer fire departments and their auxiliaries.

v8i32