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Select Board approves voluntary junior firefighter program; town counsel reviewed hold‑harmless form
Summary
The Select Board approved a proposal from the Fire Department to launch a voluntary junior firefighter program, modeled on a long‑running Foxborough program, using a hold‑harmless agreement the town counsel reviewed. The program will be volunteer‑run with minimal town cost and aims to mentor youth interested in public safety careers.
The Select Board voted to approve a Fire Department proposal to start a voluntary junior firefighter program after reviewing a draft hold‑harmless agreement the department brought to the board.
Fire Department staff told the board the program would be modeled on Foxborough’s long‑running junior firefighter program and could provide recruitment and career‑path benefits for participants. The chief said the Foxborough program produced about 15 career hires between 2009 and 2024 and described the Southborough program as volunteer‑oriented: one to two monthly meetings, basic training and mentoring, and fundraising to cover incidental costs.
Town counsel reviewed the draft hold‑harmless agreement, the chief said, and had no objection to moving forward. The chief told the board the program would impose minimal direct cost to the town; participants and leaders would rely on volunteer time and local fundraising for program expenses.
A board motion to approve the Fire Department’s proposal passed without recorded opposition. The chief said the department plans to recruit, finalize the agreement, and bring a program schedule and recruitment materials back to the board as the next step.
The board discussion included a brief comparison between running a department‑managed junior firefighter program and participation in the Boy Scouts’ explorer program; the chief said the department’s in‑house option offers direct supervision by trained professionals and reduces duplicate compliance steps.
The board asked staff to circulate the finalized hold‑harmless agreement and to confirm administrative details, including participant screening and any required youth‑protection training, before recruitment begins.
