Boston Fire Captain

2027 Boston Fire Captain in Statewide, MA |  page has loaded.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Location

Statewide, MA

Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

MUNICIPAL DEPT

Opening Date

10/13/2026

Closing Date

2/9/2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

2027 Departmental Promotional Examination for Boston Fire Captain (1YP)

The Human Resources Division (HRD) is administering this examination to create an eligible list from which Fire Captain vacancies may be filled in the Boston Fire Department. Candidates must take and pass this examination to be placed on the eligible list.

Application Period Begins:January 5, 2027

Final date to receive applications:February 9, 2027

Examination Processing Fee:$150

Written Examination Locations:Various sites across the Commonwealth

To be eligible for this examination you must: (1) be an employee in the Boston fire department for which the examination is given with permanent civil service status in the title of Fire Lieutenant by the date of the examination; and (2) have served in the force at least one year since you were appointed and performed the job duties of the eligible title(s)*.

A combination of temporary and permanent service from a certification can be applied towards meeting this one-year requirement. Time spent working in the title of Fire Captain will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position.

Note:

Pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) 31 § 59, if less than two applications are received from eligible candidates, this examination will be postponed. If the examination’s eligible title has been lowered to the entry level rank, the examination will go forward with less than two eligible candidates submit applications.

* If the eligible title has been lowered to the entry level rank you must have served in the force at three years.

Individuals placed on the resulting eligible list shall be eligible for certification from such list for such 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 (HRD) revocation policy.

The examination weights are 52% Technical Knowledge, 28% Situational Judgment Test, and 20% Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E).

Under supervision, a Fire Captain performs duties in conformance with the rules and regulations of the Fire Department. Duties may include apparatus operations and non-apparatus operations, pre-fire planning, incident command, size-up, ventilation and forcible entry, overhaul, search and rescue, salvage, information management, investigations, reports and records management, initial response to incidents, internal and external inspections, policy enforcement, staffing, professional development, and other related work as required.

The Technical Knowledge component will be designed to assess, where practicable, the knowledge, skills, and abilities established as qualifications for the position. Areas assessed may include the chemistry and physics of fire; fire ground operations and fire suppression; special operations, including the criminal or terrorist use of chemical, biological, and radiological agents and pre- and post-detonation considerations involving explosive devices; building design, construction, and materials;

fire prevention and protection; fire cause determination; hazardous materials; legal considerations and laws applicable to the fire service; supervision and administration; and workplace safety and wellness.

Note:

Examination Preparation Guide will be released approximately three months prior to the examination date.