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HUNTSVILLE, Texas — The Texas A&M Forest Service hosted the 4th annual Sisters in Fire event on Saturday, September 28, at Sam Houston State University Bearkat Camp. Twenty-three young women, ages 12 to 18, from 23 counties in Texas participated.
“For the fourth year, we have shown young women the camaraderie, integrity and excitement that comes with a career in wildland firefighting and natural resource protection,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Program Specialist Heather Gonzalez. said. “Each year we strive to make Sisters in Fire engaging, educational and fun, incorporating new activities and experiences. I loved seeing the teamwork. It’s a reminder for all of us to take a step back and appreciate the work we do every day to serve the state of Texas.”
Participants were divided into squads or teams for the day and took turns passing through the four stations. Each station introduced students to a variety of topics and skills related to the wildland firefighting profession, including how to use fire trucks, bulldozers, chainsaws, and hand tools to extinguish wildfires. They also learned leadership and communication skills, which are important for wildland firefighters.
“It was hard to start the chainsaw, but once I started it, grabbed the chainsaw, and pulled the trigger, it felt so powerful,” Sisters in Fire participant Charlie said.
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At this year’s event, Dauntless Air’s Fire Boss, an amphibious aircraft frequently used on wildfires in Texas, will create two droplets, providing critical support between aviation firefighting resources and ground crews during wildfire outbreaks. We have demonstrated excellent cooperation. Participants were also able to interact with and board a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department helicopter. This helicopter is commonly used to carry buckets of water for pinpoint droplet delivery or initial attack on remote wildfires.
“Most people only see aircraft as part of commercial travel, but by showing these young women and their families how important and unique this firefighting aircraft is, we are giving them a different perspective. “This can open the door to a new path,” said Cassidy Ince, Texas A&M Forest Service Fixed Wing Program Coordinator. In the release. “These participants have the potential to become the next generation of fire aviation professionals, and we will rely on all of them to protect our communities in the future.”
Participants will test everything they learned in the final event of the day, a predetermined fire demonstration. While instructors burned grass in small areas, the young women answered questions and applied what they learned to real-world scenarios.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, women make up a small percentage of firefighting careers, including 5% of all firefighters, 11% of volunteer firefighters, and 12% of federal wildland firefighters.
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“It felt great to be able to show the participants how all the skills they learned throughout the day work together during a prescribed burn,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Resource Specialist Brittney Stinson. ” he said. “It was a great opportunity for me at this event to see all participants and their families understand how firefighters from multiple states and agencies can come together, create a team, and successfully lead an event. is one of my favorite parts.”
The Sisters in Fire event is a partnership between Texas A&M Forest Service, USDA Forest Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Texas Interstate Fire Mutual Assistance System, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Held in cooperation with the Kansas Forest Service. service.
“It’s amazing to not only be able to work with other women who have careers in the outdoors, but also to be able to teach other young women,” said Kimberly Peterson, a forest ecologist with the Texas A&M Forest Service. Ta. “My favorite part of this event each year is seeing these young women realize that they can have a career in natural resources.”
(c)2024 the Odessa American (Odessa, Texas)
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