The Fire Service Women Ontario annual conference is underway at Lambton College's Fire School on Lasalle Line.
Over 100 female firefighters are participating in drills and leadership workshops over the next three days.
Vice President Allison Vickerd, a London firefighter and graduate of Lambton's Fire Science Technology program, says the participants have come from fire departments across Ontario.
"We've brought in some really engaging instructors that really encourage our fire fighters to think outside the box and increase their skill set," says Vickerd.
She says women make up less than 5% of the fire service workforce, but the effort is underway to change that.
"The numbers have steadily increased been increasing. So, we have through Fire Service Women Ontario a couple of programs, Camp FFIT (Female Firefighters in Training), that's run in Ottawa, Hamilton and London," says Vickerd. "These are camps that are specifically for young ladies, to encourage them to consider firefighting."
Vickerd says 25% of students enrolled in first year fire program at Lambton College this year are female and quite a few of them participated in a Camp FFIT program.
Those interested in Lambton's fire program can learn more during the college's annual fall open house Saturday from 10am-2pm. Shuttles are being offered from Sarnia's main campus our to the training facility.
Over 100 female firefighters are participating in drills and leadership workshops @LambtonCollege over the next three days. #SLont pic.twitter.com/3to3jRZqHR
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) November 11, 2016
Participants in the Fire Service Women Ontario conference have come from across the province to learn techniques like this... #SLont pic.twitter.com/Pd99tqRT6t— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) November 11, 2016
