WHO: State Fire Marshal Robert Rielage and staff, women firefighters and 18 (including 12 from the Columbus area) female participants.

WHAT: “Can You Take the Heat?”, a daylong program for women who are interested in the fire service. Each participant will get hands-on experience on what it is like to be a firefighter.

WHEN: Saturday, April 15 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

WHERE: State Fire Marshal’s facility, 8895 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg

WHY: In 1998, recognizing that women are grossly underrepresented in the Fire service, both nationally and statewide, the Ohio Department of Commerce established the Ohio Women Firefighters Committee to attract more women to the fire service. On October 24, 1998, the committee along with the State Fire Marshal’s office conducted the first “Can You Feel the Heat?” The April 15^th, 2000 event is the fourth installment in a continuing effort to draw more females to careers as Ohio firefighters.

It will be a day for the participants to don firefighting equipment, handle a charged hose and use the jaws of life, among other exercises. Women who attend will have the opportunity to meet and receive instruction exclusively from female firefighters. They will also take part in a panel discussion at the end of the day’s activities to discuss women in the fire service and the fire service in general. Each segment of the program offers rare up-close photo opportunities of firefighters and participants conducting actual drills.

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