The Select Board on Sept. 29 approved the appointment of two high school juniors as cadets in the Hammond Volunteer Fire Department after the fire chief introduced a new cadet program leader, Sean Cather.
Chief Pullen told the board that the department has a new cadet program leader, Sean Cather, who interviewed candidates from Minichag High School. Sean introduced Anthony Powers and Paul (Cole/Cold) Stone, both juniors, as applicants who want to pursue fire science or public service. The board voted to appoint Anthony Powers and Paul Stone as cadets; the motion passed by voice vote.
The nut graf: The cadet program is intended as a training and recruitment pipeline; cadets will not participate in active firefighting but will receive orientation to equipment, training tasks and limited emergency assistance under supervision.
Board members asked about expected time commitments and training: Sean said cadets will start earlier than other volunteers to receive one-on-one time with senior firefighters and to be brought up to speed on equipment and department procedures. The board congratulated the cadets and their families.
Separately, the fire chief requested permission to host a community Safety Night Out event and sought authorization for event permits for Oct. 17 or Oct. 24. The board supported holding the event and suggested choosing Oct. 24 to allow time to coordinate food trucks, public-health elements like flu shots and participation by town departments (Board of Health, Senior Center) and outside groups. The board authorized the department to proceed, noting permits for food vendors would require coordination with the Board of Health.
Ending: The cadet appointments were approved and the department will proceed to plan Safety Night Out with the town administrator coordinating permits and logistics for the likely Oct. 24 date.