Farmington Hills police and fire offer workshop for girls interested in first responder careers

FARMINGTON HILLS — The Farmington Hills police and fire departments are teaming up to offer an all-female-focused workshop.

Girls and women ages of 15-18 who are interested in a career as a first responder are being offered the opportunity to take part in a “free, hands-on event for young women,” a press release from the city of Farmington Hills states.

The workshop is titled, “Blue, Red and You?”

First responders from the city of Farmington Hills, including representatives from the fire and police departments, are set to take part in the event, which is scheduled for 11 a.m.-7 p.m. July 28 at the Farmington Hills Police Department, 31655 W. 11 Mile Road.

“Women are the most underrepresented work group in law enforcement,” Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King said. “Law enforcement is a heavily male-dominated profession, so we developed this program to highlight career opportunities of the Farmington Hills Police Department — focusing on police officers, cadets and dispatchers, and then included our fire partners with our Farmington Hills Fire Department to highlight the careers (on) both sides of the public safety spectrum. … We came up with the ‘Blue, Red and You?’ event to focus on female recruitment. It is going to be aimed at female candidates that are interested in a public safety career with the Farmington Hills police and/or fire department.”

King expects the workshop to be “extremely beneficial” for individuals who want to learn more about the intricate details of a career as a first responder.

“It raises the awareness and the information for somebody to make an educated, fully informed career decision — what kind of benefits? What kind of pay? What kind of schedule? What kind of opportunities are available to you? … We (want to) show them what Farmington Hills has to offer them — not only the profession, but specifically, the Farmington Hills police and fire departments.”

Attendees will also learn what kind of education and training are required to enter a career as a first responder.

King said that this is the first-ever all-female-focused workshop that the city of Farmington Hills has offered.

“What a (great) way to get out this information on all the many careers we have with our department and with our city, and get this opportunity out there to not only further the diversity in our workforce, but to get additional candidates to apply and have a look at what kind of a career they can have with our department and in our profession,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for individuals to come here and see, from (an) all-female perspective, the public safety opportunities that the Farmington Hills Police and the Farmington Hills Fire Department have to offer. We’re looking forward to the event.”

Individuals interested in attending are asked to RSVP by July 1.

According to the release, priority is given to Farmington and Farmington Hills residents. For more information or to register, call (248) 871-2750 or send an email to crimeprevention@fhgov.com.