Clackamas Fire

Ila Borders, training captain at Clackamas Fire, is no stranger to adversity. Long before she led firefighters through rigorous drills and safety standards, she was breaking barriers on a very different field. As a young girl, Ila set her sights on an unprecedented goal: becoming the first female Major League Baseball player. Not softball—baseball. 

With a father who played minor league baseball, Ila jokes that she “grew up on a baseball field.” But her earliest encounter with emergency responders came under heartbreaking circumstances. When Ila was six, her grandmother drowned in the family’s pool. Ila was the one who called 911, and one of the responding firefighters continued to check on her in the years that followed. That experience planted a quiet seed. 

Ila went on to pitch for the Vanguard University baseball team in California. Coincidentally, the local fire station was right beside the field, and its firefighters showed up for every game she pitched. That support and camaraderie stuck with her. 

After college, Ila’s baseball career expanded into the professional men’s leagues, where she continued to make history. Over four seasons from 1997 to 2000, she pitched over 100 innings, became the first female pitcher to start and win a men’s professional baseball game, and played for several teams—including the Madison Black Wolf.  

After baseball, as Ila considered a career, she knew she wanted to stay active, be part of a team, and make a difference. She soon realized firefighting offered the same intensity, teamwork, and sense of purpose she loved in baseball. 

Like many industries, the fire service is largely male dominated. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), women represent only about 9% of all firefighters nationwide. Historically, women were banned from firefighting roles altogether until legal barriers were removed in the 1970s and 1980s. This long-standing exclusion may foster a perception that women don’t belong, discouraging potential applicants. 

Despite these barriers, the culture within the fire service is steadily evolving. In recent years, departments across the country have begun taking meaningful steps toward greater inclusivity and support for women. Industry organizations such as Women in Fire are actively influencing NFPA standards, leadership development, and training practices to better support gender diversity.  

For Ila, advocating for the next generation of women in the fire service isn’t just important—it’s personal. She founded Fire-Up Boot Camp, an all-female program that introduces women to firefighting through hands-on experience, networking, and career coaching. The boot camp focuses on building confidence and helping participants envision themselves in a field where role models can be hard to find. So far, 40 women have completed Fire-Up Boot Camp, and roughly 20 have gone on to full-time firefighting careers across Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska.

Although Ila experienced stereotypes and assumptions early on in her career, she says the environment is changing. “These experiences are happening less because other women have paved the way,” she explains, and she feels fortunate that “the culture at Clackamas Fire is great.” 

Mentorship, she emphasizes, is essential. “Mentorship is huge here,” Ila says. “For firefighters, there’s nothing better than having someone help you through something they’ve been through.” Ila mentors women in other fire departments and has her own mentor outside of Oregon. She's also a sought-after keynote speaker, often sharing insights on leadership, team building, and surrounding yourself with the right support. 

When asked what she'd tell women considering a career in firefighting, Ila doesn't hesitate: "Give it a try. Try as many things as you can to find your passion. You don't know until you try. Don't limit yourself."

Despite the barriers she’s pushed through—from baseball diamonds to training grounds—one thing remains constant: her love for the work. 

“To me, we’re all firefighters,” Ila says. “This is the most awesome job ever.”