Archived News Release: March 7, 2022 - The Ann Arbor Fire and Police Departments will debut a new four-day camp in June for local students. Blaze & Blue camp is a free, hands-on program for young women 13-18 years of age. Participants will experience the most challenging and exciting tasks in firefighting, first response and law enforcement in a supportive, educational and interactive environment.
Activities will include:
Fire extinguisher training, vehicle extrication, 100-foot aerial platform rides and rappelling.
Patrol scenarios, crime scene investigation, mugshots and fingerprints and a day-in-the-life station tour.
“The Blaze & Blue camp will offer young women the chance to interact and learn from powerful and successful women who are currently firefighters and police officers," said Ann Arbor Police Deputy Chief Aimee Metzer. “Had I had the opportunity to participate in this type of camp when I was a young woman, it would have solidified my decision to go into law enforcement much earlier."
The 2022 program will be held Monday, June 27, through Thursday, June 30. Students will train with Ann Arbor firefighters Monday and Tuesday and Ann Arbor police staff Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The camp also provides access to the women that work in these roles who are breaking down barriers and stereotypes in these non-traditional career fields. Registration will be open March 7-18. The camp is free, lunch is provided daily, and participants will receive a complimentary Blaze & Blue t-shirt.
“This camp is a great opportunity for young women to experience careers that aren't often considered. Both of these careers thrive from diversity because every individual has a different strength to offer. We will give these women a glimpse of what it's like to have the best job in the world," said Brittany Hoak, Ann Arbor firefighter/EMT.
*Sign up using the online form at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=haWvSHVjcEG50enFaLuS8whtLjHFxKtNp2qENkEP4y1URU9YVTNVVDIzR1NXV1ZJWEU3TFlaOTBMVS4u. Questions may be emailed to [email protected]. Priority will be given to city of Ann Arbor residents before Washtenaw County.
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