Orlando Fire Department Hosts Burn Bright Event to Empower Young Women

Introduction

The Orlando Fire Department conducted its annual Burn Bright event in Orlando, Florida, targeting 30 young women aged 14 to 20. The program provided hands-on firefighter training aimed at fostering skills and confidence among participants.

Event Activities and Training

The event featured a variety of practical exercises designed to engage participants actively in fire and emergency medical services, including:

• CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training
• Operation of fire apparatus such as hoses, pumps, and ladders

These activities offered the young women an opportunity to explore and understand firefighting techniques and emergency response equipment.

Empowerment and Career Exploration

Burn Bright is specifically designed to empower young women by:

1. Encouraging exploration of careers in public safety
2. Building confidence and practical skills in a supportive environment

Given that women currently represent only about nine percent of fire personnel nationwide, initiatives like Burn Bright are critical in promoting gender diversity within the fire service sector.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Burn Bright program contributes significantly to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality – By promoting female participation in firefighting, the program addresses gender disparities in traditionally male-dominated professions.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Providing practical, skills-based training supports inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Encouraging young women to pursue careers in public safety fosters productive employment and economic empowerment.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Enhancing community safety through well-trained emergency responders contributes to making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Conclusion

Through Burn Bright, the Orlando Fire Department is making strides in empowering young women, enhancing diversity in public safety careers, and supporting sustainable development. The program provides valuable skills and insights that may inspire participants to pursue future careers in firefighting and emergency services, thereby contributing to more inclusive and resilient communities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article focuses on empowering young women and increasing female participation in firefighting, a traditionally male-dominated field.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The Burn Bright event provides hands-on training and skill development in fire and emergency medical services.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The program encourages career exploration and skill-building for future employment opportunities in public safety.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.6: Reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

1. SDG 5.5 Indicator
   • Proportion of women in managerial positions or specific sectors (implied by the statistic that women make up only about 9% of fire personnel nationwide).
2. SDG 4.4 Indicator
   • Number of youth and adults who have successfully completed technical and vocational training programs (implied by the hands-on firefighter training provided).
3. SDG 8.6 Indicator
   • Proportion of youth not in employment, education or training (implied by the program’s goal to engage youth in career exploration and skill development).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wftv.com