Fire Department · Career
Worcester Fire Department
Worcester, MA · Worcester County
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Worcester Fire Department is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗The Worcester Fire Department was officially established on February 25, 1835 by an act of the Massachusetts legislature, though the city's firefighting roots reach back to its first hand-operated engine in 1793. It is a career department serving the central Massachusetts city of Worcester from Fire Headquarters at 141 Grove Street.
The department's history runs through the eras of horse-drawn steamers and early motorization, and it claims a national first: the brass sliding pole, invented by Captain Charles Allen and installed here in 1880. Worcester was also among the first towns in the country to pay its firefighters.
Today the department handles fire suppression, emergency response, fire prevention, and community risk reduction. Its members are represented by IAFF Local 1009. The department carries a solemn legacy of sacrifice, including the six firefighters lost in the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage warehouse fire and more recent line-of-duty deaths.
Hiring in Worcester runs through the Massachusetts Civil Service system. Candidates apply online through the state's Executive Office for Administration and Finance civil service page (mass.gov/civilservice) and must pass a state-administered written exam and the Physical Abilities Test (ELPAT).
After the exams, candidates advance through a character background investigation, medical and psychological evaluations, drug screening, and final interviews and verification. The next scheduled exam date is listed as TBD on the department's site, and free study materials are available through the state civil service page.
Requirements
- Minimum age 19 at the application deadline; maximum age 32 at exam date (veterans may add up to 4 years of military service, extending eligibility to age 35)
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid Massachusetts driver's license
- Pass the state-administered written civil service exam and Physical Abilities Test (ELPAT)
- Non-smoker status required
- Preference for 12 consecutive months of Worcester residency before the exam date (non-residents may still apply)
Hiring process
- Pass the written civil service exam
- Pass the Physical Abilities Test (ELPAT)
- Character background investigation
- Medical fitness evaluation
- Drug screening
- Psychological examination
- Interview, background checks, employment verification, and CORI check
How do I apply to become a Worcester firefighter?
Apply online through the Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance Civil Service page at mass.gov/civilservice, then pass the state-administered written exam and Physical Abilities Test.
What are the age requirements?
You must be at least 19 at the application deadline and no older than 32 at the exam date. Veterans may add up to 4 years of military service, extending eligibility to age 35.
What education and license do I need?
A high school diploma or GED and a valid Massachusetts driver's license are required.
Do I have to live in Worcester?
Non-residents may apply, but preference is given to candidates who have resided in Worcester for 12 consecutive months before the exam date.
What does the hiring process involve after the exams?
After passing the written exam and Physical Abilities Test, candidates go through a character background investigation, medical evaluation, drug screening, psychological examination, and a final interview with background checks and a CORI check.
When is the next civil service exam?
The department lists the next scheduled exam as TBD. Free study materials and preparation guides are available at mass.gov/civilservice.