Events across the state Saturday, May 2, are aimed at encouraging women to explore their potential as firefighters and first responders.
Women Explore Fire Day in Minnesota offers hands-on opportunities to learn more about volunteer, paid on-call and full-time positions in local fire departments in all regions. Northern Minnesota locations include Bemidji, Hibbing, Detroit Lakes and Crosslake.
Currently, 9% of firefighters nationwide are women, making them an underrepresented and underutilized group in the fire service, according to organizers. Minnesota fire departments are working together to change that by encouraging more women to explore firefighting as a way to help fill critical openings in departments across the state.
With many departments across the state facing staffing shortages, there's a critical need to fill open positions.
"This is a unique opportunity to experience the diverse duties and challenges of the fire service in a supportive, hands-on and welcoming environment," according to the event website. "Whether you're curious or serious about joining, come see what it's all about."
More than 95% of firefighters in Minnesota are paid on-call or volunteer, and most have full-time jobs outside the fire service. They serve their communities in their free time, responding to emergencies like medical calls, fires and crashes.
Registration is still open for Saturday's events. They run 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Locations
- East Metro Training Facility, 1881 Century Ave. N., Maplewood
- Bemidji Training Grounds, 318 Fifth St. NW, Bemidji
- Hibbing HQ Station, 2320 Brooklyn Drive, Hibbing
- Detroit Lakes Fire Department, 417 Main St. W., Detroit Lakes
- Crosslake Fire Department, 37028 County Road 66, Crosslake
- St. Cloud Station 2, 727 Anderson Ave., St. Cloud
- Isanti Fair Grounds, 3101 Highway 95 NE, Cambridge
- SBM (Spring Lake Park, Blaine, Mounds View) Station 3, 11920 Ulysses St. NE, Blaine
- Merit Center, 1001 Erie Road, Marshall
- Hutchinson Armory, 1200 Adams St. SE, Hutchinson
- Hennepin Technical College, 13100 College View Drive, Eden Prairie
- Owatonna Fire Station, 107 W. Main St., Owatonna
- Mankato Fire Station 1, 710 S. Front St. Mankato
- Olmsted Public Training Center, 1550 50th St. SE, Rochester
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