Fire Department · Career
Gloucester Fire Department
Gloucester, MA · Essex County
Operates 4 ALS (paramedic) engines, 1 ALS ladder, and 2 transporting ALS ambulances across four stations.
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Department careers page ↗The Gloucester Fire Department traces its roots to volunteer fire societies formed on Cape Ann as early as 1789, and was formally established by special act of the Massachusetts legislature in 1831 to protect the Harbor Parish. The department was tested early by two of the largest fires in the city's history — an 1830 blaze that destroyed 27 homes and 43 commercial buildings along Front Street, and an 1864 fire that leveled 103 buildings on both sides of the same street — losses that pushed the young department toward steam and hand-pumped engines and, eventually, the hydrant-fed municipal water system installed in 1884. By 1915 the department had grown to 177 members, a mix of 27 full-time firefighters and 150 call volunteers.
Today the department operates out of four stations — Central Station (headquarters) on School Street, West Gloucester Station on Concord Street, Bay View Station on Washington Street, and Magnolia Station on Fuller Street — staffed by 83 full-time professional firefighters. The department runs four ALS (paramedic-level) engines, one ALS ladder, and two transporting ALS ambulances, reflecting a heavy emphasis on advanced life support EMS delivery alongside traditional fire suppression.
Beyond emergency response, the department serves as the lead agency for the City of Gloucester's emergency management system, runs a fire prevention bureau handling permitting and inspections, and participates in a regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan alongside neighboring Cape Ann communities Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex, and Rockport to address wildfire risk on the peninsula.
MissionProtect life, property, and the environment by providing prompt and professional fire protection, fire prevention, EMS, and public education services.
Firefighters are hired off a Massachusetts Civil Service eligibility list generated by a statewide exam administered annually, typically in April, rather than through a standalone department application.
Requirements
- Pass the Massachusetts Civil Service firefighter examination and be placed on the resulting eligibility list
- EMT-Paramedic certification is strongly preferred, since the department runs four ALS engines, one ALS ladder, and two transporting ALS units
- Candidates hired as EMT-Basic (only after two recruitment rounds fail to yield enough paramedic applicants) must obtain Massachusetts EMT-Paramedic licensure at their own expense within 18 months of hire
Hiring process
- Sit for the Massachusetts Civil Service firefighter exam, offered annually (usually in April)
- Be placed on the statewide civil service eligibility list
- Selection and appointment per Massachusetts Human Resources Division rules and the Gloucester Firefighters Local L-762 IAFF collective bargaining agreement
- If hired without paramedic certification, complete EMT-Paramedic licensing within 18 months
How do I become a firefighter with the Gloucester Fire Department?
Gloucester hires off a Massachusetts Civil Service eligibility list generated by a statewide firefighter exam administered annually, usually in April, rather than through a standalone department application process.
Does Gloucester require paramedic certification?
EMT-Paramedic certification is strongly preferred because the department operates four ALS engines, one ALS ladder, and two transporting ALS ambulances. If hired as an EMT-Basic (only after two recruitment rounds fail to produce enough paramedic candidates), the firefighter must obtain paramedic licensure within 18 months at their own expense.
How many stations does the Gloucester Fire Department operate?
Four: Central Station (headquarters) on School Street, West Gloucester Station on Concord Street, Bay View Station on Washington Street, and Magnolia Station on Fuller Street.
When can I get an open burning permit in Gloucester?
Seasonal open burn permits are available January 15th through May 1st, processed through the Fire Prevention Bureau.
How old is the Gloucester Fire Department?
Its roots go back to Cape Ann fire societies formed around 1789, and it was formally established by special act of the Massachusetts legislature in 1831.