Dozens of girls from across Chicago spent a Thursday morning at the Quinn Fire Academy gaining hands-on experience as part of the Chicago Fire Department’s “Firefighter for a Day” event. The program, held at 558 W. De Koven St., provided participants with an opportunity to learn about fire safety, engage in drills, and interact directly with firefighter and paramedic personnel.
Twelve-year-old Hannah Cole was among those who tried on bunker gear, navigated obstacle courses, and practiced firefighting techniques. After spending the day alongside many female firefighters, Hannah said she had a new perspective on the profession. “I always thought that firefighters were mostly men, but today I realized they’re not,” she said, expressing an increased interest in pursuing a similar career.
The event was led by several Chicago firefighters, including Nia Moore, a firefighter and EMT who joined the department nearly three years ago. Moore said the experience was designed to show young girls that firefighting is an accessible career for women and that the number of women in the field has been increasing. “It’s because we’re showing young girls that they have a chance in this ‘male-dominated’ profession,” she noted.
Participants, ranging from kindergarteners to eighth graders, were brought to the event through organizations such as Girls Inc. of Chicago, a nonprofit that has partnered with the fire department for seven years. Campers tried on protective gear, practiced CPR on mannequins, sprayed water from firehoses, and explored fire trucks and ambulances.
Some attendees found the physical challenges demanding but rewarding. Six-year-old Savannah Moore remarked on the heaviness of the gear after completing a simulated rescue. For others like 12-year-old Olivia Williams, the chance to sit inside an ambulance and learn CPR alongside paramedics was a highlight. Though Olivia hopes to become a real estate agent, she said the event was an enjoyable introduction to emergency services. “It’s been fun meeting firefighters and paramedics and trying out what they do,” she said.
Domonique Isaac, director of programming at Girls Inc. of Chicago, emphasized the importance of exposing girls to a variety of career opportunities early on. She said the event not only builds confidence but also fosters respect for the firefighting profession, regardless of whether participants choose it as a future career. “Even if they don’t end up going into this field, having the respect for it and being another supporter of other women who do go into that field is going to be important,” Isaac said.
Chicago Fire District Chief Betty Ortiz expressed hope that the event would inspire the girls to believe in their ability to meet tough challenges. “What I want them to remember is that we can all do this job,” Ortiz said. “If later on in life they decide this is what they want to do, being here has given them that step forward where they can now say, ‘I got this. I can do this.’”
The Chicago Fire Department has increasingly focused on recruiting more women, with programs like “Firefighter for a Day” serving as part of its broader strategy to encourage female participation in the field.