NEWMARKET, N.H. (AP) – College students would live at the fire station rent-free in exchange for covering emergency calls under a plan designed to save money and maintain the town’s all-volunteer force.

Chief Rick Malasky hasn’t worked out all the details yet, but he said the second floor of the new fire station could be renovated to accommodate up to eight men and four women who would be responsible for a certain number of on-call hours each week, particularly during weekdays when the personnel shortage is at its worst.

Town councilors like the idea, especially since it would cost about $1 million less over five years than hiring four full-time firefighters.

Malasky said the students would not be paid and would need to be certified firefighters or emergency medical technicians to qualify. He would like to model the program on the Scarborough, Maine, Fire Department’s student live-in program, which draws from nearby Southern Maine Technical College and requires students to keep the station clean and maintain a C average in school.

Malasky said the students would have to apply for the program, including a background check and physical. Malasky said the goal would be to start the construction work immediately after town meeting, in May, to complete it in time for students to move there in September. Noting one challenge, he said many students will start looking for a place to stay within the next two months, before the town vote.

In addition, several Newmarket department certified firefighters and emergency medical technicians who attend the University of New Hampshire have expressed interest in the program, said Malasky.