MA
Massachusetts House Bill H2496

Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H2496

Introduced
2/16/23  

Caption

Relative to a petition for a special law re: fire cadet program for the city of Cambridge fire department

Impact

The act exempts fire cadets from civil service provisions, meaning their appointments will not be subject to the standard civil service laws and rules. Instead, cadets will operate under a different structure that permits their immediate termination by the appointing authority without cause, which could raise concerns regarding job security and fairness in the hiring process. Additionally, it is specified that no more than one-third of any year's appointments to the permanent fire force can come from this cadet program, ensuring a balanced approach to recruitment.

Summary

House Bill 2496 is an act designed to establish a fire cadet program for the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The bill allows the appointing authority in Cambridge to recruit fire cadets from among its residents who are aged between 18 and 23 years and meet the necessary physical qualifications. The program aims to provide these individuals with full-time 'on the job' training to prepare them for future roles as permanent firefighters, thereby enhancing the operational capacity of the Cambridge Fire Department.

Contention

One notable point of contention within discussions of House Bill 2496 includes the potential implications for collective bargaining agreements in place for existing firefighters. Fire cadets will not receive the benefits outlined in these agreements, which might lead to disparities between the treatment of cadets and that of full-time firefighters. The effectiveness of this bill to adequately prepare cadets while addressing existing workforce protections remains a key concern among stakeholders.

Companion Bills

MA H4630

Similar To Relative to the police cadet program in the city of Brockton

MA H4894

Similar To To amend the training requirement for the fire department cadet program in Boston

Previously Filed As

MA H4156

Establishing a charter for the city of Cambridge

MA H4894

To amend the training requirement for the fire department cadet program in Boston

MA H4234

Relative to the fair housing ordinance of the city of Cambridge

MA H2995

To amend the training requirement for the fire department cadet program in Boston

MA H4134

Establishing the city of Cambridge employment and job training trust

MA H4157

Further regulating procurements by the city of Cambridge

MA H4063

Authorizing the city of Cambridge to impose a real estate transfer fee

MA H4231

Authorizing the city of Cambridge to expand the options available to issue notices of violation for parking enforcement above the limits set forth in M.G.L. C. 90, §20A½ or other applicable state laws

MA S1646

Relative to police cadets in the city of Everett

MA H4264

Authorizing the city of Cambridge to increase the fines for failure to move parked vehicles during street cleaning in the city above the limits set forth in M.G.L. C. 90, §20A½

Similar Bills

MN HF2711

Advanced placement and international baccalaureate program provisions modified to include Cambridge Assessment International Education.

MN SF1842

Advanced placement and international baccalaureate program provisions modification to include Cambridge Assessment International Education

MA H4063

Authorizing the city of Cambridge to impose a real estate transfer fee

SC H3693

Cambridge cougars state champs

SC S0197

Cambridge cougars state champs

MA H4157

Further regulating procurements by the city of Cambridge

MA S28

48th Report of the Massachusetts Capital Resource Company

MA H1651

Requiring the relocation of the Cambridge District Court