The Barrie Fire Department hosted its second annual IGNITE fire academy for teenage girls on Sept. 20, 2025 [1].

The program seeks to address the gender gap in emergency services by introducing young women to the profession early. By providing a supportive environment for girls to test their skills, the department aims to increase female representation in a historically male-dominated field.

Approximately 30 girls [1], ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old [1], participated in the two-day weekend event. The camp took place at the Barrie Fire Department training facilities in Barrie, Ontario.

Participants engaged in practical exercises designed to simulate the daily duties of a firefighter. These activities included equipment demonstrations, tactical drills, and instructional sessions led by active members of the department.

"The IGNITE academy gives girls hands‑on experience with equipment, drills and talks from active firefighters," said Firefighter Emily Chen, a program instructor [2].

The curriculum focused on both the physical demands of the job and the technical knowledge required to operate fire service machinery. The initiative is part of a broader effort to diversify the recruitment pipeline for the city's emergency responders.

"We want to inspire the next generation of female firefighters and show them that this is a career they can pursue," said Chief Dan Smith of the Barrie Fire Department [2].

The event concluded on Saturday, marking the end of the second year the department has run this specific outreach program. Organizers believe that early exposure to the rigors of the fire service helps participants determine if the career path is a fit for them before they enter post-secondary training.

“"We want to inspire the next generation of female firefighters..."”

The IGNITE academy reflects a growing trend among municipal fire departments to implement targeted recruitment strategies. By focusing on teenage girls, the Barrie Fire Department is attempting to shift the cultural perception of firefighting as a male-only profession, potentially increasing the pool of qualified female applicants for future civil service openings.