By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
In 2006, Beatrice Rudder, the first woman to become a firefighter for D.C. Fire and EMS, retired as a deputy fire chief. She shared the story that when she joined the department, she only planned to remain aboard for a short stint while preparing for medical school. But despite racial and sexual discrimination, she persevered – at one time being the sole female firefighter in a department of 1,450 men.
Credit: Photos courtesy of IAFF.org
Her dedication to the job and her community would inspire other women to follow in her footsteps, including native Washingtonians like Roshawnda Drake, who recently marked 20 years of service.
“After graduating from Woodson High School, I entered the Cadet Program which is open to D.C. residents, 18-21. But you can also join the department as a paramedic or firefighter EMT,” Drake said.
With the example of women who have gone before her, moved up the ranks and currently serves as a lieutenant in the D.C. Fire Department. She now advocates for more young girls to consider a career as a firefighter or paramedic.
In recent months, she has led girls from Washington, D.C., ages 12 to 17, in trying their hand at being firefighters at the Camp Spark program, sponsored by the D.C. Fire and EMS Training Academy in Southwest D.C. The program encourages girls to join the male-dominated field by letting them participate in tasks which represent what it would be like to pursue a career in the department. She said she and her colleagues were more than pleased with the results.
Camp Spark is a two-day event which offers hands-on training to young girls in the community. The eager participants were introduced to the essentials of firefighting skills including forcible entry, ladder work, hauling fire hoses and lifesaving techniques.
An earlier camp was held in July, attracting 27 girls. During the second camp, in September, 38 girls attended the program.
“This was my first time running the program but I was initially involved in Camp Spark back in 2007 with Fire Investigator Tomi Rucker,” Drake said. “I had only been on the job for three years then, but it was really a motivating experience. We presented a plan for the camp pre-COVID, but were unable to move forward until this year. Other jurisdictions in our area have held camps before including Prince George’s County, whose fire department has sponsored Camp Spark twice, so we’re all fairly new in the role of hosts.
Drake spoke on the goal to recruit more women into the profession.
“Only 12 percent of the department is staffed by women today but we are committed to achieving a goal of 30 percent by 2030,” Drake said. “And with programs like Camp Spark, the word is spreading. Young girls are not only getting a rare opportunity to see what it’s like but they’re gaining confidence in themselves, no matter what career they may eventually pursue.”
The Fire Department and the Department of Employment Services jointly host The D.C. Fire Department Action Program – a six-week summer enrichment program for D.C. teens–boys and girls– who are interested in joining the fire department after graduating from high school. As for Camp Spark, Drake added that the department plans to hold at least one camp next summer in July 2025.
Drake said that while the job has not become any easier than it was when Rudder first broke the “glass ceiling” to become the first woman in the department, more women now realize that they, too, can succeed.
“There are obstacles that women face, particularly passing the CPAT (candidate physical ability test) which is required for those within the hiring process,” she said. “Far more men apply than women so their numbers are higher than ours but we still lose a lot of women in the process because of the rigorous physical requirements.”
Drake said that her job offers the opportunity to work with many different kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds and nationalities.
“I grew up in Southeast which is mostly all Black, but now I have friends and colleagues who represent a wide range of cultures,” Drake said. “We’re changing perspectives about a job that was once only for men. Young girls are seeing women handle their business in various positions within the fire department and it gives them hope.”
“That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “Next summer we hope to have 60 girls register for Camp Spark.”
The post Fired up for success: How Camp Spark encourages the next generation of firewomen appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
