Looking to become a firefighter? This could be your chance to give it a test-run.

Young women ages 15 to 19 are invited to Summer Heat 2012, a weeklong camp hosted by the Colorado Springs Fire Department to educate women on emergency services and to encourage them to pursue it as a career path.

“It’s showing them another option of what they can do in public service,” said Sunny Smaldino, fire department spokeswoman. “It’s a great opportunity for young women to come out and experience what it’s like because we have some phenomenal women here (in the department).”

The camp starts with a shorter day on the ropes course July 21 and then runs from July 23 to 27. It aims to teach participants leadership and problem solving alongside more concrete skills such as CPR and proper nutrition.

The average day runs from 8 a.m. to anywhere from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with a variety of activities, including a class on hose streams, lunches with guest speakers and rescue simulations.

“It’s a great way for people to come out and experience it (firefighting) before they jump in. We can say that we want to go into some job, but until you do it you don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into,” said Smaldino, adding that it’s especially important for the age group the camp targets — those still deciding what to pursue in life.

There is a $40 application fee for the course, but the initial payment covers all other expenses from the camp, including daily lunches, snacks and camp T-shirts.

Sign up is open and applications are due by July 3. There are 24 slots open. Applications and additional information are available at www.springsgov.com/fire.

The camp ends July 27 with a commencement ceremony.

“Even if they don’t decide to be a firefighter, this may lead them in a direction or open up other areas of the department they could be in — fire marshal, prevention office, any other support options. There is so much more to a fire department than riding in a big red truck,” Smaldino said.

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Contact Lauren Fellers: 636-0198.