Our History:

Portland Metro Fire Camp was started in 2009 by Portland Firefighter Lisa Knight as a tool to engage with and outreach to young women. Lisa recognized a need in the fire service to reach out to a severely underrepresented group; even today women make up only 4% of professional firefighters in the US.

Back in 2009, PMFC was modeled after Camp BLAZE, a week-long fire camp for young women which was one of the only of its kind at the time.

In the beginning, PMFC welcomed 14 campers and spanned three days in the summer. Today PMFC has blossomed into a non-profit organization that has expanded to include two three-day camps each summer and averages 80 - 90 campers per year.

PMFC is a hands-on camp, run by professional female firefighters. Each day campers participate in vehicle extrication, hose handling skills, search & rescue operations, chainsaw operation, and many other firefighting activities all while being supported and encouraged by other women who were once in their shoes. PMFC now caters to young women ages 16 -22 and focuses on building confidence, leadership, encouraging teamwork, collaboration, and ensuring that firefighting and other male dominated careers are seen as the wonderful career options they are for young women.

Our MISSION at PMFC is to regularly provide collaborative, supportive, and educational fire service environments with women, by women and specifically for young women with the goal of increasing knowledge and awareness of firefighting and other nontraditional career paths for young women and empowering those who participate.

I think all girls should go whether or not they want to be a firefighter. It is empowering and showed me that with the right people you can do anything.
— 2021 PMFC Participant (Anonymous survey)