Twenty young men and women took the first step toward becoming members of the Boston Fire Department during a pinning ceremony held last Thursday (Jan. 21) at the new Engine 17/Ladder 7 station on Dorchester’s Meeting House Hill.
Mayor Michelle Wu presided over the ceremony, which included fire department and union officials who had gathered with the “Charlie Class” cadets and their families. The group is the third cohort in a cadet program launched under Wu in 2023 with the goal of recruiting more young people from Boston’s neighborhoods to join the fire service.
“To the 20 cadets we are here to celebrate, 20 who were chosen from more than 200, you represent the best of Brighton, Charlestown, Hyde Park, South Boston, Roslindale, Roxbury, and West Roxbury,” the mayor said. “You remind us in this moment what it truly means to serve.”
The class also includes Dorchester natives Zachary Maffeo, Caitlyn Nguyen, Maeve Olsen, Daniel Sheil, Savion Silva-Clark, and Dermot Weir. (Pictured above by Cassidy McNeeley)
“It’s a difficult time right now to be in public service with a lot of noise, a lot of chaos, a lot of division coming from all different directions,” Wu said. “It’s not always obvious what path forward is the right one to take, but it’s clear for all of us that not doing anything isn’t an option. That has always been the reality for those who have chosen to step in to become part of the best fire department in the country.”
The cadets will now begin an intense two-year program that will make them eligible for admission to the Boston Fire Academy. During that time, they will get classroom training and cooperative education as well as specific on-the-job training and exposure to firefighting tools and apparatus.
“You still have a lot of work ahead of you today, cadets. Nearly two years of learning, training, and personal growth,” said BFD Commissioner Paul Burke. “Take pride in what you’ve earned, stay focused on what lies ahead, and take full advantage of every opportunity this program offers.”
Sam Dillon, the president of Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718, added that Thursday’s ceremony was just the first step in the cadets’ journey to becoming Boston firefighters.
“Take a lot of pride in those badges that you’re going to put on your chest today, but remember, there’s another badge that you’re in the hunt for.”
Dermot Weir, 23, said he’s been on the hunt for a firefighting career ever since he read a book about Welles Crowther, a Boston College graduate who was killed as he worked to rescue fellow World Trade Center employees on Sept. 11, 2001.
“Reading about him and seeing how selfless he was, helping other people, it kind of just awakened something in me that I have a bigger purpose to help other people,” said Weir, who is from St. Brendan’s parish.
Caitlyn Nguyen and Maeve Olsen think their purpose includes showing other women they can do it too. “I wanted to become a cadet because there were not enough females on the job. I didn’t think it was possible,” said Olsen, who lives in St. Ann’s parish.
Added Nguyen of Fields Corner, “There were not a lot of people of color and women on the job. Our community should know our fire department accurately represents our community, and they should know people living in the community are also the ones serving them.”
Fire cadet Jordan Milton with his former teacher Julie Joyal of the MEDscience program. Cassidy McNeeley photo
BFD’s diversity recruitment officer, Michael Gaskin, said that Nguyen’s view is the whole point of the cadet program.
“If I’m a kid in Boston, I’m born and raised here, I know the streets, I know the people,” he said. “We cast as large a net as possible to make sure that Boston kids have an opportunity. That includes every neighborhood in the city of Boston.”
To apply to the next class of cadets, visit boston.gov/departments/fire-operations/boston-fire-cadets. Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years old and a current resident of the City of Boston, having maintained residency for the last three years. Applicants must also have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate and a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.
