photo courtesy of BHFD

Thirty-two young women from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and as far as San Diego participated in the first Beverly Hills Fire Department Girls’ Empowerment Camp on Nov. 5-6.

Beverly Hills Fire Chief Greg Barton and Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse welcomed the campers.

Of the 32 participants, approximately 17 were from Los Angeles County, including about 10 from Beverly Hills, said BHFD Engineer Melissa Hillis, who organized the event.

“The event exceeded my expectations,” Hillis said. “It was so rewarding and I have already received emails from participants asking if they can get on the list for the next one,” Hillis said.

The trainings were run with the help of 15 female firefighters from fire departments in San Bernardino and Orange counties and several neighboring jurisdictions.

One of Hillis’ favorite parts of the camp was witnessing the girls’ transformations, she said. While they began the camp hesitant and curious, they left it assertive, confident and “standing tall.”