Crucial physical, medical skills taught as part of the program

By Kate Elston
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Copyright 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

NORTH BEND, Wash. — The scene was intense Wednesday as fires raged through two vehicles, the flames charring the cars, the smoke filling the air.

The firefighters who put out the blaze? Teenage girls.

The car fires were part of an instruction at Camp Blaze, a firefighting camp for 16- to 19-year-olds who want a jump-start on their flame-fighting skills.

Based at the Washington State Patrol Training Facility, Camp Blaze instructs girls in firefighting basics.

"It's probably the most challenging week they'll ever have," said Karen Kerr, a founder of Camp Blaze and a firefighter from San Francisco. "At the end of the week, they have used a chainsaw, put out car fires and rappelled out of a building."

Kerr said the girls also learn crucial medical skills, such as administering CPR, and are pushed physically.

Maria Kerkulov, a self-described tomboy from Kennewick, said she thought she would give firefighting a try to combine her love of the outdoors and people.

"I like fire," the 17 year-old said. "This camp is such great experience."

Leah Mason of Renton said she's always wanted to be a firefighter and Camp Blaze has given her the first taste of the job.

"I've done a lot of things I never thought I could do," Mason, 16, said. On Tuesday, the girls climbed an aerial ladder 100 feet high. Before Camp Blaze, Mason said she was afraid of heights. But not anymore.

Kerr said that's what the camp is about.

"We want to instill that they can do anything they set their minds to," Kerr said. "They're empowered, they're confident. They believe they can do anything."

Kerr said each girl spends a day as a team leader to strengthen her team-building skills. But it's not all serious.

"We're camp. We have fun," Kerr said.

The girls, in typical camp style, play games, create skits and tease the counselors — Kerr said in a fire extinguisher demonstration, the girls got to cover the adults with whipped cream, glitter and silly string. The campers create silly chants to yell as they march from task to task, and come up with team names, such as Pyros of the Caribbean and Lady Put 'Em Outs.

At Wednesday's car fires, the girls were determined and excited. As a car and van were ignited, 16 girls clicked on their air masks at once and advanced toward the blaze, geared in heavy outfits, including boots, goggles and 35-pound air packs. Each team of four got a chance to attack the fire from four different positions and was encouraged by loud cheers and whistles.

"It was awesome," said Carissa Krumpols, 17, right after her team put out the fire. The Shelton native was closest to the blaze, holding the nozzle and instructing her teammates as they sprayed water at all angles. She couldn't stop smiling. "The excitement, the adrenalin, the teamwork was amazing."

"It was intense," said 16-year-old Arisa Wilson of Tacoma. "It's not something you can take your eye off of. You can't lose focus for a second."

Kerr said about 60 women firefighters from all over the country use their vacation weeks to instruct at Camp Blaze — unpaid. "We want (the girls) to see women firefighters in action," she said. "It has a huge impact. They think, 'I really can do this.' "