Camp Blaze

While some Mason County residents spent their summer vacation chasing the sun, North Mason Firefighter/EMT Elli Lechner took leave to volunteer as an instructor at Camp Blaze, a weeklong camp where young women can try out a firefighting career.

Teenagers ages 16 to 19 participate in live fire training, vehicle extraction, aerial ladder climbing, hose handling and rappelling, among other activities, according to the camp's website.

"Think summer camp meets fire academy," Lechner told the Herald.

The camp is funded solely through donations and is free for attendees, Lechner said.

The biennial camp was this year from July 27 to Aug. 3.

All of the crew leaders and instructors are volunteers and some had to do shift trades or take vacations.

"I thought that was so amazing," Lechner, who has been a North Mason firefighter/EMT for almost three years, said.

This was her first time as an instructor at the camp, although the location, at a fire training academy in North Bend, was familiar.

"I actually went to the academy there. It was super interesting being back in a very different role," she said.

North Mason Fire officials told Lechner about the camp, thinking she might be interested.

"I filled out the application, not knowing what to expect. I feel like I got more out of it than what I was even remotely close to anticipating getting out of it."

Lechner said the girls learned basics such as putting on fire gear and the fundamentals of using a fire hose, and they participated in live-fire training exercises.

"Some with extinguishers, some with our full hose from an engine. It was very thorough," she said. "I feel like it's an awesome opportunity for somebody to try that on and see what it's like."

Overseeing the live firefighting day was memorable for Lechner. She said they all ate breakfast and then started the walk-through.

"We follow all the same procedures and laws as if we were doing our own training at our department," she said.

Instructors and crew leaders started the burn pits and they did a fire evolution drill. Lechner was overseeing a transitional attack.

"We put water on the fire from an external position into the interior of the building on the fire, and then we make entry through the front door and then we extinguish the fire," Lechner said.

Most firefighters have been in their gear moving and working for a while before fighting a live fire, she said. Campers didn't have extra time.

"They just tackled it. It was so amazing to watch these girls take on a task that is very difficult," she said, adding there was "ample supervision," for the girls.

Some of them had significant fears that they were able to overcome in a short period of time with all the leadership and support," she said.

Lechner said campers she spoke with came from all over, including two girls from Australia. Some participants have family members who are in the fire service, some want to pursue a firefighting career and some are just curious, she said.

She felt the camp was inspiring for young women, no matter what their career path.

"Even if you don't get a career in the fire service you can do difficult tasks. Be you and be awesome."