HERricane: Escambia 2026 Applications Now Open

Escambia County Emergency Management invites girls entering 7th, 8th and 9th grades to participate in the HERricane: Escambia 2026 program.

This four-day-long camp will be held June 23-26 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center, 6575 N. "W" St. The HERricane: Escambia Advisory Board will select up to 20 girls to participate in the 2026 program. The camp is FREE for students to participate. Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 24. Please note: HERricane may be rescheduled or canceled in the event of severe weather, natural disasters or real-life emergencies.

"As we enter our third year of HERricane: Escambia, we're excited to continue empowering young women with the skills, confidence, and mentorship needed to prepare for emergencies and lead in their community," HERricane: Escambia Program Director Scottlin Wilson said. "This program is only possible because of the continued support from our community partners, and we look forward to welcoming the next group of future leaders."

Watch the HERricane: Escambia 2025 recap video here.

What is HERricane?

HERricane is a girls' summer camp to help rethink and improve outreach and engagement around emergency preparedness. The HERricane program was launched in Arlington, Virginia in 2017 and has expanded throughout the United States since then. HERricane empowers women to pursue careers and leadership roles in emergency management through a week-long "camp," and includes long-term professional development opportunities. Its mission is to develop and elevate women as leaders in emergency management and related careers while expanding the image of these professions as a positive force for improving public safety and government.

Eligibility

This program is open to girls living in Escambia County who will be entering 7th-9th grade for the 2026-2027 school year.

How to Apply

• Download and complete an application. Applications can also be picked up from the Escambia County Public Safety building, located at 6575 N. "W" St. in Pensacola.
• Submit a completed application by the Friday, April 24 deadline. Applications may be submitted via email to [email protected], mailed to Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. "W" St, Pensacola, FL 32505, or dropped off in person at the same address, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Note: Applications for HERricane must be filled out by hand using a blue or black ink pen and should not be completed by a parent/guardian.

Why Should You Join HERricane?

Joining HERricane provides an opportunity for young women in Escambia County to become energized about the impacts they can make in a world of emergencies and disasters. The emergency management field is evolving after every hurricane, wildfire and almost every major incident. Therefore, it's imperative that we continue to evolve how we talk about preparedness and how we engage with our communities, including youth. This program is an investment into the future leaders of our community. Here are four facts to think about:

1. Underrepresentation: Women are underrepresented in leadership positions in emergency management across the nation.
2. Professional Awareness: Emergency management, as a profession, is often "hidden" and awareness about it as a career is low.
3. Employment Opportunities: Careers in public safety are anticipated to grow 8% in the next decade.
4. Women are Disaster Victims: The United Nations Development Programme recognizes that women are disproportionately affected by disaster, particularly regarding loss of life, sexual violence, and loss of income.

For any additional questions, please email [email protected].

Campers from HERricane: Escambia 2025 practicing public speaking

Campers from HERricane: Escambia 2025 recap their camp experience during the closing ceremonies

Campers learned CPR from Escambia County EMS