Future female firefighters find their spark at Camp Fierce

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Media Contact: Desa James | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-2669 | desa.james@okstate.edu

Women from across the region are stepping into firefighter boots during Camp Fierce, a three-day, immersive training experience at the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology’s Fire Service Training grounds, designed to inspire and empower females of all ages to explore careers in the fire service.

Hosted by Oklahoma Women on Fire, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and mentoring women in emergency services, Camp Fierce offers participants hands-on firefighter training in a supportive, all-female environment led by professional firefighters from across the country.

Participants engage in real-world training exercises including live fire evolutions, vehicle extrication using the Jaws of Life, search and rescue drills, ladder operations, chainsaw use and rappelling. The experience is designed as a first step into the profession, giving participants direct exposure to the physical, technical and teamwork-based nature of firefighting.

“This camp is really about showing women what they’re capable of,” said Kendall Taylor, CEO of Oklahoma Women on Fire. “A lot of females don’t even realize this is an option. Once they try it, something clicks, and they start to see themselves doing this for real.”

Camp Fierce builds on a legacy that began in Tulsa in 2010 and was revived by Oklahoma Women on Fire after a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the program has grown significantly, expanding from small groups of about 10 participants to sessions that now serve up to 40 campers at multiple locations, including Stillwater.

Taylor said the growth reflects both demand and the increasing visibility of women in the fire service.

“Firefighting is still one of the most traditionally male-dominated careers,” she said. “But the job today is just as much about teamwork and serving people. Having women on those teams brings different perspectives and strengths, and that makes the fire service better.”

One of the most impactful moments of Camp Fierce happens when participants realize their own potential.

“They’ll come up after an exercise and say, ‘I can’t believe I just did that,’” Co-Founder Alexa Reed said. “Then they’ll tell you, ‘I’m going to do this for the rest of my life.’”

Some campers go on to become leaders within the program. Taylor pointed to participants who attended multiple years and have now returned as junior team leaders, mentoring new campers and continuing their journey into the fire service.

The camp’s expansion into Stillwater has been made possible in part through a partnership with OSU’s FST program, which provides facilities, equipment and logistical support.

FST first became involved by supplying critical training equipment — including self-contained breathing apparatuses and a mobile gear-washing unit — to support a growing number of participants. That collaboration quickly evolved into hosting Camp Fierce at the FST facilities.

“Once we saw what they were doing, it made perfect sense to bring it here,” said Bryan West, logistics manager for OSU FST. “Our role is really to support them. We provide the facility, the equipment, and the safety oversight so they can deliver the experience.”

At the Stillwater site, campers are able to train in a professional-grade environment, including controlled live-fire exercises, such as car and dumpster fires, under the supervision of trained staff.

West said the camp serves as a highly effective introduction — and potential pipeline — into the profession.

“They’re packing a lot of training into one weekend, but it gives participants that firsthand experience of what the job is really like,” he said. “For anyone considering the fire service, this helps them decide if it’s something they want to pursue.”

In addition to career exploration, Camp Fierce also supports those interested in volunteering with local fire departments by providing foundational skills and exposure to the field.

Beyond technical training, Camp Fierce emphasizes leadership development, resilience and mentorship, elements that extend well beyond the three-day experience.

“It becomes so much more than just a camp,” Taylor said. “The connections last. Campers stay in touch, we go to their graduations, and they support each other. That sense of community is huge.”

The program is also gaining national attention. Campers and volunteers now travel from multiple states to participate, and organizers are working to expand the model to other regions.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, women currently make up about 9% of firefighters nationwide and only about 5% of career firefighters, making initiatives like Camp Fierce critical to increasing awareness and representation.

Through its partnership with OSU FST and its continued growth, Camp Fierce is helping change that statistic.

“If someone is even thinking about trying it, they’d be making a mistake not to,” Taylor said. “This camp will show them what’s possible.”