Fire Department · Career
Newton Fire Department
Newton Center, MA · Middlesex County
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Department careers page ↗Newton Fire Department provides fire suppression, emergency response, and fire prevention services to the City of Newton, Massachusetts, from six fire stations spread across the city's villages. The department is organized under a Chief of Department, with dedicated Fire Prevention and Fire Alarm & Wires divisions handling code enforcement, permitting, and the city's municipal fire alarm and wire infrastructure.
Fire Prevention staff review plans and issue permits for storage tanks, natural gas installations, and BDA/ERRCS emergency responder radio systems, while maintaining smoke detector and fire extinguisher compliance across the city. The department also runs public safety education on carbon monoxide safety, home escape planning, and pet and animal safety in emergencies, and coordinates emergency management for storms, flooding, and extreme weather.
Newton hires new firefighters through the Massachusetts Civil Service system rather than a standalone department application, so joining the department starts with the statewide Municipal Firefighter Exam rather than a typical online job posting.
Newton hires firefighters exclusively through the Massachusetts Civil Service system. Candidates sign up for the Massachusetts Municipal Firefighter Exam, sit for the written test and the Entry-Level Physical Ability Test (ELPAT), and are ranked on a statewide eligible list. When Newton has an opening, names are reached in order for a department-level screening that includes a background investigation and an interview with the department's interview committee, followed by a conditional offer, pre-employment medical and psychological exams, and a hire-standard Physical Ability Test before entering the fire academy.
Requirements
- At least 19 years old as of the exam application deadline, and no older than 31 as of the original exam date
- Pass the Massachusetts Municipal Firefighter Exam written test
- Pass the Entry-Level Physical Ability Test (ELPAT)
- Pass a background investigation and interview with the department's interview committee
- Pass a pre-employment medical examination, psychological examination, and Initial Hire Physical Ability Test (PAT)
- Successfully complete a fire academy and 12-month probationary period as a Probationary Firefighter
Hiring process
- Register for and take the Massachusetts Municipal Firefighter Exam (written test) and the Entry-Level Physical Ability Test (ELPAT)
- Get scored and placed on the statewide Civil Service eligible list
- Wait to be reached on the list when Newton Fire Department has an opening
- Complete a background check and interview with the department's interview committee
- Receive a conditional offer of employment
- Pass a pre-employment medical exam, psychological exam, and Initial Hire Physical Ability Test (PAT)
- Attend new-hire orientation and the fire academy as a Probationary Firefighter
New hires attend a fire academy and serve as a Probationary Firefighter through a 12-month probationary period before becoming full members of the department.
How do I become a firefighter with the Newton Fire Department?
You apply through the Massachusetts Civil Service system: sign up for the Municipal Firefighter Exam, pass the written test and the Entry-Level Physical Ability Test (ELPAT), and get placed on the statewide eligible list. When Newton has an opening, candidates reached on the list go through a background check, an interview with the department's interview committee, and a conditional offer before pre-employment medical, psychological, and physical ability testing and the fire academy.
What are the requirements to become a Newton firefighter?
Applicants must be at least 19 years old as of the exam application deadline and no older than 31 as of the original exam date, and must pass the Civil Service written exam, the ELPAT, a background investigation, and pre-employment medical, psychological, and physical ability testing.
Does Newton give hiring preference to residents?
Yes. To receive residency preference, applicants must prove at the time of consideration that they resided in Newton for at least one year prior to the exam date.
How many fire stations does the Newton Fire Department have?
The department operates six fire stations across Newton: Station 1 on Church Street, Station 2 on Commonwealth Avenue, Station 3 on Willow Street, Station 4 on Crafts Street, Station 7 on Elliot Street, and Station 10 on Dedham Street.
Who do I contact with questions about Newton firefighter jobs?
Call the Newton Fire Department at (617) 796-2210 for general questions, email civilservice@mass.gov for Civil Service exam questions, or email HR@newtonma.gov for questions about City of Newton job opportunities.