Firefighter Recruit

About This Role

The Boston Fire Department is one of New England's oldest and most storied fire agencies, with roots dating to 1678. BFD is hiring Firefighter Recruits to serve a dense urban environment of universities, hospitals, historic brownstones, and modern commercial districts — a mix that generates complex, high-stakes fire and EMS calls year-round.

Job Overview

• Job Title: Firefighter Recruit
• Company: Boston Fire Department
• Location: Boston, MA
• Job Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: Entry-level
• Salary Range: $22–$32/hr
• Posted Date: 2026-06-01
• Application Deadline: 2026-07-01

Role Context

Boston FD recruits complete a 16-week drill school covering structural firefighting, rope rescue, haz-mat awareness, and fire prevention. Boston's dense cluster of universities and medical institutions creates high-occupancy-building challenges that recruits train for specifically. The department operates on a 42-hour average work week across day and night shifts at 34 fire stations.

Key Responsibilities

• Combat structural fires in Boston's historic wood-frame and brick construction neighborhoods
• Respond to high-occupancy building fires in university dormitories and hospitals
• Provide emergency medical first response while BFD EMS units are en route
• Perform ladder, rescue, and haz-mat operations under incident command
• Complete fire safety inspections in commercial and multi-unit residential properties
• Participate in community fire prevention programs and public education events

Requirements & Skills

• Boston residency for at least one year prior to appointment
• Pass Massachusetts Civil Service Firefighter Exam
• CPAT certification required; must meet BFD medical fitness standards
• High school diploma or GED; college credit is advantageous for exam scoring
• Valid Massachusetts driver's license
• Clear background investigation; no disqualifying criminal history

Benefits & Work Conditions

• $22–$32/hr under the BFFA collective bargaining agreement
• Massachusetts State Retirement Board pension (defined benefit)
• Comprehensive health and dental coverage through the city
• 42-hour average work week on rotating day and night shifts
• Career advancement to Acting Lieutenant, Lieutenant, Captain, and District Chief

Who Should Apply

Massachusetts residents committed to a career in public safety within one of New England's most active urban fire departments. Boston FD is particularly strong for candidates who want to work in a historically rich department with challenging building stock and a deeply team-oriented station culture.

About the Company

Boston Fire Department operates 34 fire stations with over 1,500 uniformed personnel. One of the oldest fire departments in the United States, BFD has a long tradition of community service and professional excellence across Boston's diverse neighborhoods and major institutional campuses.

How to Apply

Apply through the Massachusetts Human Resources Division. Monitor boston.gov/fire for civil service exam announcements. After passing the written exam, candidates complete CPAT, an oral interview, medical and psychological screenings, and a residency verification process.