CONWAY — The Selectboard has approved a new position within the Conway Fire Department.
The associate firefighter position would be limited to helping, in a supervised capacity, at fire scenes, explained Fire Chief Robert Baker. The person would not be able to drive the fire truck or do traffic duty.
“It’s a new position in the Fire Department where we could have … a firefighter … that doesn’t meet all the requirements of a full-fledged firefighter that wants to be in town,” Baker said.
The individual who was appointed to the position during Monday’s Selectboard meeting was Michael O’Connell, who recently turned 18 after going through several years of the junior firefighter program. Typically, a junior firefighter would go on to complete a series of classes and pass a series of tests to continue as a regular firefighter.
“I felt that we didn’t want to lose the position; this gentlemen has been with us for a few years,” Baker said, noting the man would need to resign if the new position wasn’t approved by the board.
He said offering an associate firefighter position in the Fire Department opens the door to people who may not be able to fulfill all the requirements necessary to be a full-fledged firefighter.
“Some people have situations in their life that they want to try to help, but they can’t meet all the requirements,” Baker explained.
Selectboard member Phil Kantor called it a “creative solution” to the situation.
The board voted unanimously in favor of creating the position, as well as appointing O’Connell as the first firefighter to assume the role.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne