In June, Melissa Hillis became the first female fire captain in the Beverly Hills Fire Department’s (BHFD) 100-year history.
Next month, she’s taking aspiring firefighters under her wing for the third annual Empowerment Camp, which aims to educate and inspire young women to envision themselves in a role that’s traditionally underrepresented by women.
“My hope is that every girl who leaves Empowerment Camp walks away feeling stronger, more capable and more confident than when she arrived,” Hillis told the Courier. “Whether or not she chooses firefighting as a career, we want her to know that she can do hard things, and that she has a place in any field she sets her mind to. If we can spark that belief in just one camper, we’ve done our job. But we’re seeing that spark ignite in dozens of young women each year, and that’s incredibly powerful.”
Empowerment Camp, which will take place this year on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9 at the BHFD headquarters, offers young people, especially girls ages 13 to 18, the opportunity to participate in intensive exercises, drills and training activities that introduce them to the demanding work of firefighting.
“The city of Beverly Hills is proud to offer young people a hands-on opportunity to explore the world of fire service,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian. “This two-day program prepares the next generation of courageous firefighters and community leaders, those who run toward danger when others turn away. It reflects our city’s ongoing commitment to safety, service, and unity.”
A day at the camp typically starts early—just like a real firefighter’s shift. Then, campers jump into team-building exercises and a morning briefing, just before the physical drills. Those include hose handling, ladder climbs, search and rescue scenarios and even fire simulations in full firefighting gear. Campers rotate through those skill stations led by experienced female firefighters who coach and encourage them along the way.
This year has seen an increase in enrollment and engagement from the community than in years past, and BHFD will bring in more interactive workshops, hands-on drills and a mentorship component that allows campers to stay connected with firefighters beyond the weekend, said Hillis.
The objective of Empowerment Camp will be a bit different this year, too. Instead of just physical skills, the camp aims to shift more focus to leadership and building confidence.
“On day one, we often see a lot of hesitation, girls unsure if they’re strong enough, fast enough or brave enough. By the end of the weekend, those same girls are racing up ladders, dragging hoses twice their weight, and cheering each other on with total confidence,” said Hillis. “But the biggest change is internal. You see their posture change, their voices grow stronger, and their eyes light up with a new sense of pride. They realize they’re capable of more than they imagined, and that realization doesn’t go away when camp ends.”
Currently, Hillis said, one of the biggest barriers girls face when considering firefighting as a career is visibility. “If a girl has never seen a female firefighter, it can be hard for her to picture herself in that role,” said Hillis.
Hillis joined the BHFD in 2008, eventually becoming the department’s engineer. She is a founding member of the Women’s Fire Alliance, a nonprofit organization that supports and empowers local women firefighters in Southern California. After attending neighboring fire department empowerment camps, she decided it was time for her own city to provide that same opportunity to young girls aspiring to be firefighters.
She emphasized that the demands of the job are the same no matter the gender, but she wants to change the perception of who belongs in firefighting.
“Our goal is to ensure that girls grow into young women who can see themselves as firefighters and have equal opportunities to pursue that dream with confidence and support. That’s why our camp is so important. It demystifies the job and shows girls that strength comes in many forms,” said Hillis.
Registration for the third annual Empowerment Camp is still open and will close once it reaches capacity. The camp will be held on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Beverly Hills Fire Department at 445 Rexford Drive.
