Westfield hosted Indiana's first firefighter camp for women
Hamilton County departments ran the free two-day H.E.R.S. camp with rescue and search training plus mentoring, and they plan another in 2027.
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The Westfield Fire Department hosted Indiana's first firefighter camp for women over the weekend, WTHR reported on October 20, 2026. The free two-day camp is called H.E.R.S., for Honor, Equity, Respect, and Sisterhood. It was a Hamilton County effort. Firefighters came from Westfield, Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Cicero, and Hamilton County Fire Fighters Local 4416.
The Carmel Fire Department's account of the camp, which WTHR cited, said it was for women 18 and older and that there was no cost to take part. Participants practiced victim rescues, search techniques, and other hands-on skills, and they had time with firefighters for mentoring. The departments said the two days also made room for conversations that do not happen on a regular call. They plan to hold the camp again in 2027.
For the classroom
Westfield, Indiana, hosted a free two-day camp for women who want to learn about firefighting. The fire department says it was the first camp of its kind in the state. The name is H.E.R.S., which stands for Honor, Equity, Respect, and Sisterhood. Firefighters from several Hamilton County departments taught together. Women 18 and older practiced pulling someone to safety, searching, and other skills, and they spent time with firefighters who already do the job. The camp did not charge the people who came. The departments hope to hold another one in 2027.
- What skills would you want to practice if you were learning to be a firefighter?
- Why might it help to meet people who already do a job you are curious about?
- What does the word sisterhood mean in the camp's name?
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