Right now, aspiring firefighters under the age of 18 are out of luck if they want to join the Niles Township Fire Department.

Chief Gary Brovold hopes to change that by adding a volunteer cadet program that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in many of the things firefighters do on a daily basis.

“It would be a win-win for us,” Brovold said during Monday’s meeting of the Niles Township Board of Trustees. “If we can get someone when they are young and wanting to learn all of this information, we can teach them the right way to do it.”

Many board members appeared to like the idea of a cadet program, including Treasurer Jim Ringler, who said it would allow cadets to become familiar with firefighting practices and get involved in training.

Brovold said cadets would not officially become firefighters until they turn 18 even if they have already obtained the proper certifications. While cadets could do many things under the program, Brovold said they would not be allowed to do some firefighter duties, like going into a structure fire, until they turn 18.

Brovold said the department has received interest from people under the age of 18 in the past. He said there is at least one person interested in joining the cadet program.

The board is expected to take action on the cadet program at the next township meeting Aug. 29.

Also Monday, the board:

• Learned that bids for the Mission Hills subdivision road project came in roughly $300,000 over budget and that the Berrien County Road Commission is in the process of determining how to proceed with the project.

• Approved painting the township hall and former fire station building for $13,300 and the purchase of a water cooler and filling station for $1,000.

• Heard a police report from Lt. Trent Babcock, of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, that included an active shooter drill at Brandywine Middle/Senior High School.