HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – Camp LIT returned this week for the fifth year as its mission is to introduce young women in the Shenandoah valley to a profession in emergency response.

Lieutenant Erin Stehle of the Harrisonburg Fire Department explains why the camp is important.

“The whole reason that we all got together and formed this is because again, when you look around the table, you don’t see yourself sometimes when you’re in a predominantly male workforce, which is the fire department, law enforcement, emergency services,” Stehle said “So, our goal is just really to introduce women to a possibility for the emergency services.”

The camp is not exclusive to only the fire department but also gets assistance from police departments and first responders from around the area.

Applications open every February and is open to young women from ages 14 to 17 years old.