ADAMS, Mass. — The Fire District has established the role of "support person" in its policies to allow  firefighters age 65 and older to continue service, but with restrictions.

 

The Prudential Committee has discussed this topic over the course of several meetings after four Dalton firefighters, including the interim chief, had to retire because of the state mandate. 

 

The policy is one of the steps the committee has pursued to address the situation previously described as "devastating to the department."

 

If enforced, it would have immediately dismissed five of the company's members, a trend that would continue upwards over the course of five to seven years, officials previously said.

 

After correspondence with the district's attorney and several revisions, the committee approved the policy at its meeting last week. 

 

The policy dictates that any member of the Fire Department who is 65 or older will be considered a "support member," permitted to perform ground-level exterior duties, emergency medical service duties, vehicle operations, communications and air supply.

 

Upon reaching the age of 65, they will be required to turn in all fire gear and will respond to calls wearing the department-issued raincoat or vest. The chief engineer may issue other non-firefighter equipment.