2026 Boston Deputy Fire Chief

2026 Departmental Promotional Examination for Boston Deputy Fire Chief

If you currently have a Civil Service Online Account DO NOT create a new account to apply for this exam.

Utilize the Government Jobs Help & Support to access your account. Online Employment Application Guide | Massachusetts Civil Service Applications

Candidates with multiple accounts may cause delays with properly recording your application and notifications from civil service such as notices to appear, or job opportunities. If you have questions, please email civilservice@mass.gov.

Candidates for this examination must be employees in one of the following Massachusetts Fire Departments. Please read the below department listing carefully. Departments and eligible titles will be listed as they are requested.

Departments - Eligible Title(s):

• Boston - District Fire Chief

Written Examination Date: June 6, 2026

Application Period Begins: March 23, 2026

Application Deadline: April 14, 2026

Examination Processing Fee: $150

Written Examination Location: TBD

Examination Information

Application: An exam processing fee must be received by the application deadline.

You will receive two confirmation emails when you have completed the process: one email confirming your application has been received, and one email confirming your payment has been received.

Your application is not complete until you have received both confirmation emails.

If you have not submitted payment of the exam processing fee on or before the application deadline, your application will not be accepted.

Eligible List: Individuals placed on the resulting eligible list shall be eligible for certification for a period as the administrator shall determine, but in any event not to exceed two years, unless otherwise outlined in MGL Chapter 31 § 25 or the Human Resources Division's (HRD) revocation policy.

Examination Weights: The examination weights are: 44% Technical Knowledge, 36% Situational Judgment Test and 20% Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E).

Candidates for this examination must be employees in one of the following Massachusetts fire departments. Please read the below department listing carefully.

Departments - Eligible Title(s):

• Boston - District Fire Chief

Application: All applications must be received by the application deadline and accompanied by an examination processing fee of $150.

You will receive two confirmation emails when you have completed the process: one email confirming your application has been received, and one email confirming your payment has been received.

Your application is not complete until you have received both confirmation emails.

If you have not submitted payment of the examination processing fee on or before April 14, 2026, your application will not be accepted.

Note: Although the online application system allows candidates to elect to receive notification by email or regular mail, please be advised that HRD utilizes only email for all notices to candidates.

Current Military Personnel: Any current military personnel requesting a makeup opportunity, please click here for more information

Makeup Examination: With the exception of current military personnel as described above, no candidate has a right to a makeup examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date.

Candidates are advised to consider this before applying for the examination. Makeup examinations for unforeseen circumstances will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.

You can submit this request by emailing civilservice@mass.gov and attaching all verifiable documentation to support this request no later than seven calendar days from the examination date.

HRD reserves the right to approve or deny your request and may require an additional processing fee upon approval.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you need reasonable accommodations due to a documented impairment, or medical condition, you must fill out the Testing Accommodations Request Form and submit supporting documentation as outlined on the form from a qualified professional detailing what type of accommodation you require at the exam site.

The form and supporting documentation must be scanned and attached to the application or emailed to CS-ReasonableAccommodations@mass.gov no later than four weeks prior to the exam date.

Without such a letter, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant your accommodation.

This information is requested only to provide reasonable accommodations for exams and will not be used for any other purposes.

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties: Under the general supervision of the municipal appointing authority, directs the operations of the Fire Department, exercising supervision over direct reporting staff and overseeing the delivery of major municipal fire services; conducts long-range planning to determine policies, program priorities, and the utilization of resources in order to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the goals and objectives mandated by state laws, local bylaws or ordinances and departmental rules and regulations; evaluates the availability of fiscal and equipment resources, personnel, and local needs relative to the protection of life and property and the prevention and suppression of fire; directs and performs fire prevention duties including code and pre-fire inspection duties; directs, performs and reports the results of fire investigations; personally responds to fire and non-fire emergencies in order to supervise actions of fire service personnel; carries out public relations activities and prepares and disseminates news releases; plans and conducts hearings and meetings on issues of public concern; prepares and submits budget requests and administers department budget; interviews and selects personnel for promotion; reviews and negotiates contract proposals from contractors and/or vendors; and performs related duties as required.

Examination Subjects: The written examination will be designed to test, where practicable, the following knowledges, skills, and abilities that have been established as qualifications for the position:1.

Knowledge of the chemistry and physics of fire; 2. Knowledge of fire ground operations/fire suppression; 3. Knowledge of special operations; 4.

Knowledge of building design, construction, and materials; 5. Knowledge of fire prevention; 6. Knowledge of fire protection; 7. Knowledge of fire cause determination; 8.

Knowledge of hazardous materials; 9. Knowledge of legal considerations; 10. Knowledge of supervision; and 11. Knowledge of administration and management.

The Situational Judgment Test component will be designed to test accountability, adaptability, analyzing and deciding, and managing activities.

Reading List: Available at 2026 Boston Deputy Fire Chief Reading List.

Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E): All candidates must complete the 2026 Boston Deputy Fire Chief ECT&E Claim application online.

Submitting an ECT&E claim in any way other than through the online claim process will result in a failed examination component.

Instructions regarding this ECT&E Claim application will be emailed to candidates prior to the examination date.

A confirmation email will be sent upon successful submission of an ECT&E Claim application.

All claims and supporting documentation must be received within seven calendar days following the written examination date.

Supporting documentation must be scanned and attached to your application or sent to civilservice@mass.gov no later than June 13, 2026. Please note that:

• ECT&E is an examination component and therefore must be completed by the candidate.
• Failure to complete this component as instructed will result in a candidate not receiving any credit for ECT&E.
• Credit for ECT&E will be calculated for all candidates.

Please be sure to read the instructions carefully.

In order to ensure that no one receives any type of unfair advantage in the claim process, we are unable to provide individualized assistance to any candidate.

A preparation guide will be available to assist with the ECT&E application.

Once you receive your examination mark, you will have 17 calendar days from the emailing of your mark to appeal in writing your ECT&E score.

Statutory Preference Points: Upon submission of written proof, two points will be added to the passing score of qualified veterans or individuals who have 25 years of service as a member of a regular fire force and have passed an examination for promotional appointment in such force.

If you are qualified for both the Veteran's Preference and the Promotional Preference for 25 years of service, please be advised that two points are the maximum allowable number of points to be added to your passing, overall (general average) examination score To claim the Promotional Preference for 25 years of service, candidates must claim this preference in the ECT&E Claim application and verify eligibility on the Employment Verification Form submitted for this examination.

To claim veterans preference, claim veteran status in the application and attach your DD214 to the application or email it to civilservice@mass.gov.

For more information on veteran status refer to the Military Information section on our website.

Note: During the HRD review process or during the life of the applicable eligible list(s), candidates must make original supporting documentation available should the issue of authenticity arise with any submitted document copies.

Notice to Appear: Notices to Appear including time and location of the written examination and assessment center component will be emailed to candidates after the close of the application period, and prior to the examination date.Updating Information: Candidates are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information.

Failure to keep your records current may jeopardize opportunities for promotion. For information on how to update your information, visit Update Your Account.

Identification at the Examination Site: At the examination site, candidates must present current and valid photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's license, passport, military ID).

Refunds: There will be no refund of the examination processing fee unless the examination is cancelled by HRD.

Private School or Service: HRD does not recommend or endorse any private school, service, or publisher offering preparation and/or publications for examinations and is not responsible for their advertising claims.

Supplemental Information:

Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information about this and other civil service examinations, visit www.mass.gov/civilservice or email the Civil Service Unit at civilservice@mass.gov.

Inquiries may also be made to HRD, Monday through Friday, 8:45am – 5:00pm, at the following numbers:

Boston area: (617) 878-9895
Within Massachusetts: 1-(800) 392-6178
TTY Number: (617) 878-9762