By: Richard L. Smith
Recently, I had the privilege of stepping inside Bloomfield Fire Station 3, where the fire trucks gleamed, the sirens stood ready, and the air was filled with laughter, determination, and a few shouts of encouragement.
What I witnessed was nothing short of extraordinary, the Bloomfield Fire Department’s “Girls on Fire” youth camp, now in its third year, is changing lives in ways that are both powerful and inspiring.
As I watched nearly 50 Bloomfield girls , all in 4th through 6th grade — suit up in real firefighter gear, carry hoses, and practice CPR drills, I couldn’t help but think: this is what community investment looks like. 
Yes, it was more than a camp; it’s a bold commitment to the future.
This unique program is designed to show girls at an early age that they have the strength, skill, and confidence to one day step into leadership roles, even in fields like firefighting, where -I feel- we’ve come a long way but women around the country remain underrepresented.
According to the Bloomfield Fire Department, this program was built on a vision, to empower young girls to see themselves in roles traditionally out of reach and to give them the skills and confidence to believe they can do anything.
I spoke with Fire Chief Louis Venezia, who told me how proud he is of his department and the young participants:
“It couldn’t be more exciting. Our firefighters have done an amazing job organizing and running this. The girls are learning real skills and having fun at the same time. My hope is that in ten years, some of these girls will be back here, not as campers, but as Bloomfield firefighters.”
That possibility doesn’t sound far-fetched. Just a few months ago, a former camper, only 12 years old, saved her family during a house fire. She remembered what she learned at “Girls on Fire,” woke everyone up, and helped lead them to safety.
That real-world impact is proof that this camp is more than a summer program, it’s a life-changing experience.
Firefighter Claudia Astudillo , one of Bloomfield’s first female firefighters, who has been with the department for three years. She has helped shape the camp since its inception:
“When we started, we didn’t know how many girls would show up. We hoped for 10 and got 24. The next year, 37. This year, nearly 60. Every year, we learn from the girls as much as they learn from us.
They leave more confident, stronger, and ready to take on anything. And even if they don’t choose firefighting, they know they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.”
The camp balances physical activity and skill-building , morning PT sessions, fire hose drills, rescue simulations, and even arts and crafts where the girls paint rocks to symbolize strength and grit.
At the first aid station, instructors emphasized the importance of calling 911 before beginning CPR.
The girls watched training videos, practiced chest compressions, and came to understand why oxygen to the brain is critical. I could see the seriousness on their faces, this wasn’t just play; it was preparation.
And of course, there were smiles too. 
When the girls climbed aboard the fire truck for a ride, the excitement was contagious. It was the kind of joy that stays with you, the joy of seeing young people discover their own power.
The mayor of Bloomfield described “Girls on Fire” as one of the town’s most exciting programs, and after being there myself, I couldn’t agree more.
This is community at its best: police and fire leaders supporting the youth, families cheering from the sidelines, and little girls walking taller, knowing they belong in spaces once closed off to them.
"When young girls see women in the fire service leading drills, demonstrating strength, and
mentoring with compassion, it changes what they believe is possible for themselves. ‘Girls on Fire’ is about so much more than fire safety, it’s about giving these girls a space where they are seen, empowered, and reminded that there are no limits to what they can become. We’re not just building future firefighters, we’re building future leaders. - Hon. Mayor Jenny Mundell
As I left the firehouse on that cool Thursday morning, I thought about the future of these young campers.
Whether they become firefighters, doctors, teachers, or leaders in any field, they will always carry with them the lessons learned here, teamwork, resilience, and courage. 
And thanks to Bloomfield’s vision, those flames of confidence will keep burning.
This was more than a camp. This is Bloomfield showing what happens when you invest in your children, lift them up, and remind them that YES — they CAN do anything.