Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 48, § 47: Engineers; powers and duties

Section 47. The engineers, in the extinguishment of fires, shall exercise the powers of firewards and, in the nomination and appointment of such firefighters as necessary therefor, shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of selectmen. They may appoint such men to the engines, hose and hook and ladder carriages, and constitute such companies for securing property endangered by fire, as they deem expedient.