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Fitchburg commission approves intern, paid‑on‑call recruitments and hires two lieutenants
Summary
The commission approved openings for fire science resident interns, authorized continuous paid‑on‑call recruitment, and accepted hiring recommendations (two lieutenants and two paid on‑call firefighters) from closed session.
The Fitchburg Police and Fire Commission on Dec. 18 approved several personnel actions for the fire department: authorization to begin a fire science resident intern recruitment, authorization to begin a continuous paid‑on‑call (paid‑on‑premise) firefighter recruitment, and acceptance of the chief’s hiring recommendations for two full‑time lieutenants and two paid‑on‑call firefighters.
Staff told the commission the intern program typically selects college students enrolled in a fire science program to live at a station for two years; the department is celebrating the internship program’s 50th anniversary in 2025. Staff said the internship pool is currently full at six people following the Dec. 9 start of Carter Sherry (noted in the meeting), and that they expect to post the intern recruitment in early January and present hiring recommendations by the February PFC meeting.
The commission also authorized a continuous recruitment for paid‑on‑call/paid‑on‑premise firefighters so prospective applicants can apply year‑round and be considered as positions open. Staff said they maintain a pool of interested applicants and will screen for minimum qualifications, background checks and interviews before bringing recommendations to the commission.
After a closed session held under state personnel law, the commission voted to accept the fire chief’s recommendations to hire two full‑time lieutenants and two paid‑on‑call firefighters. The motions were approved by voice vote; the meeting record shows the commission raised hands and said “aye” with no recorded opposition.
Staff also presented routine activity and staffing reports. Fire staff reported one full‑time vacancy (the permanent fire chief position) and continued vacancies among paid‑on‑call ranks; staff said they will open a full‑time recruitment process for firefighter positions as needed. Police staff reported three vacancies and two officers recently graduating from the academy; police and fire leaders discussed staffing levels, overtime and data‑driven enforcement activity during the meeting.
Actions approved at the meeting will be implemented by Human Resources and the fire department; staff said they will bring specific hiring recommendations back to the February and subsequent PFC meetings as recruitments conclude.
