BOSTON — Mayor Michelle Wu’s Boston Fire Cadet Program was launched as a flagship equity initiative. But behind the scenes, a very different narrative is taking shape — one marked by frustration, lowered standards, and quiet pressure to look the other way.

According to a source with direct knowledge of the program, cadets are being pushed through the fire academy even after failing fitness benchmarks, while instructors are discouraged from holding them accountable.

“Instructors are frustrated. The message from leadership is clear: cadets can’t be fired, even when they fail repeatedly,” the source told Mass Daily News. “Standards are being compromised, and morale is sinking fast.”

Failing Forward?

The source alleges that multiple cadets have failed “must-pass” fitness events — but instead of being dismissed, they were allowed to retake them during quiet weekend sessions and eventually passed.

“They couldn’t pass during the week, but somehow passed when no one else was around,” the source said.

“Every Day, Every Event”

The source describes a system in which instructors feel unable to enforce even the most basic standards — and some, they say, are expressing a quiet desire to return to their firehouse assignments.

“It’s an every day, every event problem,” the source said. “And no one’s allowed to say a word.”

The source says frustration among instructors is growing — driven by a feeling that no one is allowed to speak up or enforce standards.

Beyond the Academy: Cadets Used in Mass & Cass Transports?

The Fire Cadet Program’s use may extend well beyond the walls of Moon Island. According to separate sources familiar with city operations, members of the cadet program were allegedly enlisted during the Mass & Cass sweep to help transport individuals suffering from addiction to shelters and treatment centers across Boston.

The effort, never publicly announced, coincided with Mayor Wu’s push to dismantle the Mass & Cass encampments and declare the crisis under control.

As first reported by BAMW, Mass Daily News’s political correspondent, and based on leaked emails obtained by Boston Accountability Network, Mayor Wu’s office allegedly deployed Boston Fire cadets to help relocate addicts from Mass & Cass to various neighborhoods across the city. The effort was internally described as a “coordinated response.” There was no public process, no input, and no transparency.

Critics argue the crisis wasn’t solved — it was spread — and question why minimally trained cadets were put in the middle of it.

Equity and Preparedness

Though the cadet program was created to promote equity and access, insiders now say the reality inside the academy tells a different story.

On Day 1, cadets were reportedly told they had earned their positions “as much if not more” than veteran firefighters — despite some showing up physically out of shape and unprepared, having only completed a two-year stint painting fences and mowing lawns.

At What Cost?

Critics say the consequences of this approach are not theoretical — they’re dangerous. Pushing underprepared cadets through the system could lead to fatal consequences on the job, where hesitation, exhaustion, or a missed step can cost lives.

“This isn’t about inclusion anymore,” the source said. “It’s about politics, payouts, and pretending everything’s fine. What happens when someone who couldn’t pass a basic drill is sent into a real fire?”

The Boston Fire Department is already one of the most physically demanding agencies in the city. Veteran firefighters say it’s not just about strength — it’s about endurance, discipline, and readiness. Lowering those standards, they argue, puts everyone at risk, including the public.

A Pattern of Waste?

The fire cadet program joins a growing list of city-run “equity” initiatives that have faced backlash for poor oversight, questionable results, and vanishing accountability. Critics say taxpayers are footing the bill for programs that put image ahead of outcomes — and politics ahead of performance.

City Hall has yet to answer for how much the cadet program costs annually or how many recruits have been advanced despite not meeting initial benchmarks.

This Story Is Still Developing

Mass Daily News is continuing to investigate these claims.

This article is based on information provided by a source with direct knowledge of the Boston Fire Cadet Program. All allegations are reported as claims and have not been confirmed by official records.

If you have information about the Fire Cadet Program or city-run operations tied to Mass & Cass, email us securely at tips@massdailynews.com. Anonymity guaranteed.