Students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale learn through experiential programs, and Badd Axe Ladies, a special job shadowing opportunity, is another example of that.
The SIU Public Health program and the Carbondale Fire Department are partnering to offer this program in March to SIU female students from any major. Participants will gain valuable experience, add to their resumes, learn about public service and enjoy some team building time. Their experience will include time in the fire station and doing ride-alongs on fire calls March 15 and 21 and will wrap up with hands-on fire drills, doing a live training exercise in full firefighting gear March 23-24.
The program’s inaugural year at SIU was 2023, and about a half-dozen women participated. This year, Jenna Jaimeson, SIU Public Health Undergraduate Program director and instructor, said she anticipates about 10 university students of various majors will participate.
“The goal is to help the Carbondale fire department and show young women that they have a place in traditionally male-dominated fields,” Jamieson said. “It’s also a valuable experience for our public health students as they will be working with first responders in their future careers, and it gives them the opportunity to better understand the roles of some of those first responders.”
The program actually began a few years ago when Jamieson was employed at Carbondale Community High School, and it is currently also open to young women ages 16 and older from Carbondale and Murphysboro high schools and John A. Logan Community College.
Those who are interested in applying can contact Jamieson at SIU by email at jamieson@siu.edu or find out more on the Carbondale Fire Department Badd Axe Ladies webpage or the Badd Axe Ladies Facebook page. Applications are due Feb. 15.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the Badd Axe Ladies job shadowing during the skills weekend on March 23-24, from about 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Contact Jenna Jamieson at jamieson@siu.edu for location and details.
