VISTA — Fire agencies in North County came together last weekend to introduce young women to potential careers in the fire service and give them hands-on experience with firefighting activities.
The Ignite Your Potential program, held from Aug. 9-11, was the first of its kind in North County and similar to other women empowerment summits in San Diego. The Vista Fire Department, Oceanside Fire Department and North County Fire Protection District hosted it.
Over the three-day program, attendees ranging in age from their teens to 20s participated in training and lectures at Fire Station 5 in Vista, the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center in Carlsbad, and Oceanside Fire Training Center.
Many of the activities were led by women currently in the fire service, in paramedic school or preparing to attend the fire academy. Haley Shields, an EMT in Oceanside and Ignite leader, said seeing that example is crucial for young women interested in the fire service.
“It’s a great eye-opener and experience, and you can really see how women can actually do it and succeed. All these women really want you to succeed,” said Shields.
On the first day, attendees spent the day at Vista Fire Station 5 learning to handle the fire hose, utilize and pack up a fire shelter, and carry equipment on a hike through Buena Vista Park during a wildfire training exercise.
“Sitting in class, you know, you learn about it and read about it, but it’s cool to actually put hands on,” said Itzana Verduzco, 22, a Palomar College student in the firefighter/paramedic program.
Attendees also went to the Carlsbad firefighter testing center on Saturday for written and physical agility testing, similar to what is offered in the fire academy, followed by a lesson in structural firefighting at the Oceanside Fire Training Center on Sunday.
Despite the heat, heavy equipment, and taxing activities, participants said they were eager to face the challenge and see if they had what it took.
“This is honestly what I’ve been looking for for a while,” said Marbella Barron, 20. “I’m most excited for all the drills. All the working out — it’s gonna help me out in the long run.”
Avery Musnicki, 17, of Mission Vista High School, was among the younger attendees. She has been interested in firefighting for some time. However, she didn’t really think it was an attainable career for her until she got connected to the Ignite program and learned about all the different pathways in the fire service—firefighting, fire investigating, fire prevention, fire engineering, and more.
“I thought it [firefighting] was just a dream, like, ‘it would be cool if I did that,’” Musnicki said. “But I think it’s really fun. I’ve already learned so much.”
