Fire Service Women of New York State Takes Top Honor

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The Fire Service Women of New York State has been named a Tony Pini Diversity & Inclusion in the Fire Service 2011 award winner for its Phoenix Firecamp program. The organization was honored for its outstanding work to build and nourish a diverse and inclusive fire department culture; to foster proactive relationships and build trust with its multicultural communities. Other 2011 recipients of the award include Portsmouth (VA) Department of Fire, Rescue, & Emergency Services, Toronto (Canada) Fire Services, and Bainbridge Island (WA) Fire Department.

"Some people look at diversity as a problem. We believe it’s the solution to more safely and effectively serving our growing multicultural communities," said Larry Sagen, executive director of non-profit FIRE 20/20, one of the award sponsors. "The Tony Pini Awards give the fire service an opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate and share diversity and inclusion programs that are helping departments better serve their communities."

The group was presented with an etched glass award during a special ceremony at the Diversity Breakfast of the Fire Rescue International Conference in Atlanta on August 25, 2011. The award was presented by the sponsors of the 2011 Tony Pini Awards: FIRE 20/20, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, LION, and Scott Safety.

About Phoenix Firecamp

Of an estimated 18,000 career firefighters in New York state, only 107 are women; of the 96,000 volunteer firefighters statewide, it is estimated that 5-6 percent are women, most of whom work in EMS. Phoenix Firecamp was started in 2007 by Fire Service Women of New York State (FSWNYS) to address the issue of diversity in the fire service, specifically the challenges of recruiting and retaining women.

The program – an annual week-long overnight camp for girls ages 14-19 – nurtures interest in, and education about, careers in the fire service for women. The girls live in a converted fire house and learn firsthand the challenges of being a firefighter through exercises and classroom instruction. Except for a $75 application fee, the camp is free. While Phoenix Firecamp was the first camp of its kind in the Northeastern United States, applications are accepted from throughout the country.

As Phoenix Firecamp marks its fifth anniversary this year, 84 young women are proud graduates of the program. In December 2010, a survey sent to all Phoenix Firecamp graduates indicated that all but nine of these young women are now involved with their local fire departments – and many are pursuing fire service related degrees.

"Fire Service Women of New York State (FSWNYS) is thrilled to receive the Tony Pini Award. We hope it will encourage other career and volunteer women firefighters, and their affiliated departments, to adopt this concept and institute similar programs. We have a successful model which we are anxious to share," said Firefighter Mary Wrobel, FSWNYS president.

For more information about the Fire Service Women of New York State, e-mail Mary Wrobel or click here. 

For more information about the Tony Pini Awards for Diversity & Inclusion in the Fire Service, click here.