MASSACHUSETTS HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION

DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION TO DISTRICT FIRE CHIEF

Boston Fire Department	Announcement NUMBER: 7338
LAST DATE TO APPLY: FEBRUARY 15, 2010	      Please file early     	EXAMINATION DATE: MARCH 20, 2010

$250.00 Examination processing fee required		 
Money orders and Bank checks accepted when applying by mail.                       NO CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS.

Apply on-line with Visa or Mastercard at https://www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/hrd/

ELIGIBILITY:  To be eligible for this examination you must be an employee in the Boston Fire Department with permanent civil service status in the below listed title(s) (“qualifying title”).  You are also required to have been employed in the qualifying (eligible) title after certification from a civil service list, on a permanent or temporary civil service basis for twelve months preceding the examination date.  A combination of temporary and permanent service can be applied towards meeting this twelve month requirement.  Time you spent on the certification leading to your permanent or temporary appointment to your qualifying title may be counted toward the twelve month requirement.  (Time spent on an eligible list does not count toward promotional eligibility.)  However, you must have permanent civil service status in a qualifying title as of the date of the examination in order to be eligible.  Time spent pursuant to a temporary or provisional appointment in a higher title will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position.  

ELIGIBLE TITLE:
Fire Captain

DUTIES: Under general direction, is responsible for departmental operations during an assigned shift or in the absence of the Deputy Fire Chief or Fire Chief in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Boston Fire Department; assists in budgeting, long-range planning, and public relations; exercises supervision over direct reporting staff to develop and maintain a disciplined, effective, efficient fire department with high morale; conducts long-range planning to determine policies, program priorities, and the utilization of resources in order to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the goals and objectives mandated by state laws, local bylaws or ordinances and departmental rules and regulations;  evaluates the availability of fiscal and equipment resources, personnel, and local needs relative to the protection of life and properly and the prevention and suppression of fire;  directs and performs fire prevention duties including code and pre-fire inspection duties;  directs, performs and reports the results of fire investigations;  personally responds to fire and non-fire emergencies in order to supervise actions of fire service personnel;  carries out public relations activities;  plans and conducts hearings and meetings on issues of public concern;  and performs related duties as required.

EXAMINATION SUBJECTS:  Questions for this examination, regarding the duties and responsibilities of the Chief of Operations, shall be answered as the duties and responsibilities of the Chief of the Department.  For examination purposes, these duties and responsibilities are interchangeable.  The written examination will be designed to test, where practicable, the following knowledges, skills, and abilities which have been established as qualifications for the position:  knowledge of the principles and practices of fireground operations (both strategy and tactics) including, for example, rescue, ventilation, hydraulics, ladder and pump operations, overhaul and salvage, and the chemistry and physics of fire; knowledge of common and special fire hazards, including major emergency planning; knowledge of building design, construction and materials as related to the fire service, e.g., life safety, fire safety, structural failure, fire prevention, fire protection, and fire suppression, spread of fire, heat, and smoke, and extension of fire; knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of administration, management and supervision, including training, motivation, discipline, performance evaluation, labor relations; knowledge of laws and codes related to the fire service; knowledge of fire prevention, including building inspection as it relates to the fire service; knowledge of fire protection equipment, including the use of portable extinguishers, fixed extinguishing systems (including sprinklers), public and private alarm systems, fire alarm boxes and heat, smoke and other fire detectors; knowledge of the principles and practices of fire cause determination; knowledge of the procedures used in responding to non-fire emergencies; knowledge of hazardous materials; and knowledge of safety practices related to the fire service.

EXAMINATION WEIGHTS:  Your results on the written exam represent 80% of your final mark, with your rating in education and experience making up the remaining 20%.  Applicants must get a passing mark on each of the weighted components.

Test results will be sent to all persons taking the examination.

EXAMINATION WEIGHTS: Your results on the written exam represent 80% of your final mark, with your rating in education and experience making up the remaining 20%.  Applicants must get a passing mark on each of the weighted components.

EXAMINATION SCORING:  Scoring methodology will be announced on or before the date of the examination. 

Test results will be sent to all persons taking the examination.

CREDIT FOR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 22 of Chapter 31, individuals may be granted credit for education and experience in the eligible title(s) identified in this announcement. At the examination, you will be asked to complete a Rating Sheet to claim education and employment credit and to provide full documentation supporting your claims.  If you cannot submit all the documents at the examination, you must do so within seven calendar days after the exam date. No new type of credit can be introduced once you submit your education and experience Rating Sheet.  Information on how to complete the Rating Sheet is posted approximately two weeks prior to the examination on the HRD website in the Examination Forms section.

Once you receive your examination mark, you will have seventeen calendar days from the mailing of your mark to appeal in writing your Education and Experience score for this examination.

Examination Forms for this examination will be available after February 8, 2010. You must download a copy of the education and experience rating worksheet, the instructions for preparing the worksheet, and a copy of the employment verification form for the examination from the website. Click on the Exam Forms link. If you cannot download or print these documents, please contact the Civil Service Unit via e-mail at: CivilService@hrd.state.ma.us or at the Examination Hotline phone number: (617) 878-9895. Please include your name and address in the message. Copies will be mailed to you.

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

Notice to Appear
Notices to appear to your assigned examination site will be mailed to applicants for this examination. You will be able to get a copy of your notice after March 5, 2010, by logging on to the Human Resources Division Standings and On-line Applicant Record Information System (SOARIS). You will need to register as a first-time user if you have not already created an account in this system.  This is a separate system from the on-line application filing system. Please follow the instructions on how to Get a Copy of Your Notice to Appear for an Exam.

PRIVATE SCHOOL OR SERVICE: The Human Resources Division does not recommend or endorse any private school or service offering preparation for examinations and is not responsible for their advertising claims.

IDENTIFICATION AT THE EXAMINATION SITE: At the examination site, applicants must present current and valid photo identification with signature (e.g., motor vehicle operator’s license, passport, ID from an institution of higher education).

HOW TO APPLY

You may apply for this examination, using a Visa or MasterCard, on-line at the Human Resources Division website: https://www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/CSExamApply until midnight on February 8, 2010. A confirmation number for each transaction will be issued. 

You may also obtain a paper application, and file it along with the examination-processing fee (or fee waiver form), in person at, or by mail to, HRD (see address below). Applications and fee waiver forms may also be available at city and town clerks’ offices and civil service fire stations across the state. If you mail your application, send all correspondence by certified mail with "return receipt requested," if possible.  Your application MUST be filed with HRD by 5:00 p.m. on, or postmarked no later than, February 8, 2010.
CURRENT MILITARY PERSONNEL:  ALL military personnel who, in connection with current service, CANNOT be in Massachusetts on March 20, 2010 should contact the Human Resources Division to request a make up examination. To request a make up, file an application and processing fee and request such accommodation in writing, with a copy of your military orders attached. Please include in your letter your e-mail address, daytime base phone number and/or name and phone number of a Massachusetts resident with whom you are in regular contact. 

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:  If you need special testing accommodations due to a documented impairment such as a hearing, learning, physical, mental or visual disability, fill in the circle in item 15 of the paper application or click the corresponding circle in the on-line application, and include with your paper application a letter detailing what type of accommodation you require at the exam site. You must also include a letter of support from a qualified professional. If you apply on-line, please forward the letter to HRD. This information is requested only to provide reasonable accommodation for exams, and will not be used for any other purposes. 

EXAMINATION FEE: All paper applications must be accompanied by a money order, bank check, or by a completed fee waiver form. The examination-processing fee is $250. Payment by money order or bank check should be made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please print your name, address, social security number, and the examination announcement number «Annc» on the front of the money order or bank check. Payments by Master Card and VISA are also accepted when applying via the web site or in person. NO CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS. There will be NO REFUNDS of the examination-processing fee unless the examination is cancelled by HRD.

FEE WAIVER:  The examination fee may be waived for applicants receiving certain state or federal public assistance, unemployment insurance, or workers' compensation. Fee waiver forms are available from and must be filed with the Massachusetts Human Resources Division, Test Administration, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108. Fee waiver forms may be downloaded from the Applicant Forms section of the HRD website.  Waiver forms must be accompanied by proof of eligibility, for the subject time period, in the form of signed and dated receipts, check stubs and/or other documentation from the agency providing assistance. If you are claiming a fee waiver, please make sure to fill in item #16 on the paper application.

MAKE-UP EXAMINATION:  With the exception of current military personnel who cannot be in Massachusetts on March 20, 2010, no applicant has a right to a make-up examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date.

If you file an exam application by February 8, 2010, but are unable to appear for the exam on March 20, 2010 due to an emergency or unanticipated hardship, you may request a makeup examination by filing a written request with verifiable documentation to HRD no later than 7 calendar days from the original testing date.  HRD reserves the right to approve or deny your request.  HRD may require an additional examination-processing fee upon approval of your request.

REFUNDS: There will be NO REFUND of the examination-processing fee unless the examination is cancelled by HRD.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
DEFINITION OF A MASSACHUSETTS VETERAN M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7, Clause 43 as amended by the Acts of 2004 Effective August 30, 2004:  To be a “veteran” under Massachusetts law, a person is required to have either 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions OR 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day of which is during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. A chart defining “wartime” service is available on-line at www.mass.gov/civilservice or www.mass.gov/veterans . Qualifying service must have been in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Air Force of the United States. Please note that active duty exclusively for training in the National Guard or Reserves does NOT qualify you for veterans' preference. National Guard Members or Reservists must have been activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code or Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 33, sections 38, 40, and 41 and then must meet the minimum service requirements listed above. The Members’ last discharge or release must be under honorable conditions.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE:  If you are claiming veterans' preference and if your eligibility for veterans’ preference has not been previously approved by HRD, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214 Member-4 Form (Release From Active Duty-Long Form) in order to receive proper credit. You may mail or fax the form to the addresses provided below. You may also bring this form to the examination site. 
As of July 1, 1998, those who otherwise qualify for veterans' preference, but are still in military service may claim such credit by supplying proof, on official letterhead with appropriate signature, of their military service to date, including the dates of active duty, current assignment, and estimated time of separation. The individual must provide official documentation of honorable discharge at the time of appointment. [See MGL, Chapter 31, Section 3, Clause (f).]
DISABLED VETERAN STATUS:  Claims for status as a disabled veteran require written confirmation from the US Veterans Administration of a continuing service-incurred disability rated not less than 10% based on wartime service (MGL. Chapter 31, Section 1).

Minimum Service Exception:  It is not necessary for an applicant to complete the minimum service for wartime or peacetime campaign if he/she served some time in the campaign and was awarded the Purple Heart, or suffered a service-connected disability.

Veterans and disabled veterans will be awarded two points to their passing, overall (general average) examination score.

PROMOTIONAL PREFERENCE FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE:  A member of a regular police force or fire force who has served as such for twenty-five years and who passes an examination for promotional appointment in such force may qualify for two additional preference points.. Eligible applicant must claim this preference at the examination and verify eligibility on the Employment Verification Form which he or she submits for this examination.  Applicants qualified for the Promotional Preference will be granted two additional points to their passing, overall (general average) examination score.

If you are qualified for both the Veteran’s Preference and the Promotional Preference for 25 years of service, please be advised that two points are the maximum allowable number of points to be added to your passing, overall (general average) examination score.
FOR MORE INFORMATION

Information about this examination can be obtained on the Internet at www.mass.gov/hrd or by contacting the Human Resources Division Monday through Friday, 1 Ashburton Place, Room 301, Boston, MA, 02108, 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., except holidays, during these hours at the following numbers:

In the Boston area: (617) 878-9895			  Outside the Boston area: (toll free) 1-800-392-6178
TTY Number: (617) 878-9762			  FAX Number: (617) 727-0399
Exam Info Hotline: (617) 878-9895

READING LIST FOR THE 2010 PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATIONS BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
DISTRICT FIRE CHIEF		DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF

Candidates are responsible for reading the following texts (please note carefully which edition is listed for each). All chapters, appendices, glossaries, etc., are included, unless otherwise noted. All examination questions will be based on these materials.

READINGS IN FIRE SCIENCE

Brannigan, F.L. and Corbett, G. P. (2008). Brannigan’s Building Construction for the Fire Service (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
  	Entire text (Appendices and Tactical Considerations Boxes are excluded.)
	Glossary terms related to chapters are included.

Code of Massachusetts Regulations on Fire Prevention (527 CMR) (as amended through the  release date of this reading list).
	Entire Sections of 4, 6, and 10 only will be included.

Dunn, V. (1992). Safety and Survival on the Fireground. Tulsa, OK: Fire Engineering.
     Entire text except Chapter 10.  Questions will not be based on the scenarios presented by the  author

International City Management Association. (2002). Managing Fire and Rescue Services. 
Atlanta, GA: International City Management Association (ICMA) Distribution Center. 
	District Fire Chief - Entire chapters 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, & 13
	Deputy Fire Chief - Entire chapters 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, & 13

International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). (2005). Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (3rd ed.). Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications.
Entire text except:	
Chapter 1: pp. 12-15 (from p. 12, “Hydrostatic Test” to p. 15, col. 1, first three lines) and pp. 31-39 (from p. 31, “Inspecting, Maintaining, and  Recharging Extinguishers” to p. 39,  col. 1, first three lines)
Chapter 2: pages 76-84 (from p. 76, “Inspecting and Testing Fire Detection and Signaling Systems” to end of p. 84)
Chapter 4
Chapter 5: pp. 159-160
Chapter 6: pp. 194-215 (from p. 194, “Inspecting and Testing Sprinkler Systems” to end of p. 215)
Chapter 7: pp. 219-230 (from the beginning of p. 219 to p. 230, col. 1, first three paragraphs) and pp. 233-241 (from “Balanced Pressure Proportioner” to the end of p. 241)

International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). (2004). Hazardous Materials for First Responders (3rd ed.). Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications.
Chapter 1: (pp. 11-16: start at “First Responder Roles” and stop at the end of p. 16; pp. 17-36: start  at “Hazardous  Materials Regulations and Definitions” and stop at the end of p. 36)                                                                                                                                                            
Chapter 2: (pp. 45-55: start at the beginning of p. 45 and stop at the end of p. 55; pp. 58-77: start at the beginning of p. 58 and stop at the end of p. 77; pp. 81-88: start at “Irritants” and stop at the end of p. 88)                                                                                                                                      
Chapter 3: (pp. 109-221: start at “Part 2 Seven Clues to the Presence of Hazardous Materials” and stop at end of p. 221)
Chapter 4: (pp. 249-274: start at “Analyzing the Incident/Understanding the Problem” and stop at the end of p. 274)
Chapter 5: (pp. 279-308: start at the beginning of p. 279 and stop at p. 308 before “Specific Foam Concentrates”)
Chapter 7: (pp. 371-387: start at the beginning of p. 371 and stop at the end of p. 387; pp. 390-393: start at  “Decontamination Implementation” and stop at the end of p. 393)                                                                                                                                                                                     
Chapter 9: (pp. 443-479: start at the beginning of p. 443 and stop at p. 479 before “Commercial/Military Explosives”; pp. 496-508: start at “Special Operational Considerations at Terrorist or Criminal Incidents” and stop at the end of p. 508) 
Excludes appendices, glossary, tables, and figures.                                                            

READING LIST CONTINUED	

International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). (2005). Introduction to Fire Origin and Cause (3rd ed.).  Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications.
Entire text except: 
Chapter 1: pp. 6-8 (Personal Protective Equipment), pp. 8-9 (Hazardous  
Atmospheres and Respiratory Protection), and p. 13 (Material Safety Data Sheet)  
Chapter 2: pp. 33-34 (Participation of the Insurance Industry and Other Resources)
Chapter 3
Chapter 4: p. 75
Chapter 5: pp. 88-89 (Wildfire Causes and Indicators)
Chapter 6
Chapter 7: pp. 108-123 (Preservation of Physical Evidence to the end of the summary)
Also excludes Glossary and Appendices

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 148 (as amended through the release date of this reading list).

Smith, J.P. (2008). Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground  (2nd ed.). Old Tappan, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
	Entire text except:  
	Chapter 2            
      	Chapter 5
      	Chapter 6
     	Chapter 9: pp. 425-455 (from  p. 425, “High-Rise Buildings” to the end of p. 455)
      	Chapter 10: pp. 458-484 (from the beginning of p. 458 to p. 484, last bulleted item before 
       	Terrorism Incidents)

Tucker, M.L., McCarthy, A.M. and Benton, D.A. (2002). The Human Challenge (7th ed.).  Old Tappan, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Entire text except:
	Chapter 4: pp. 73-82
	Chapter 5
Chapter 8: pp. 154-155 (from Introduction to end of second set of bulleted items) and pp. 159-170 (from Instructional Methods to end of p. 170)
	Chapter 9
	Chapter 13
	Chapter 14: pp. 286-299
Chapter 15: pp. 301-305 and pp. 316-326 (from Union and Management Tactics to end of p. 326)
Chapter 16
Also excludes case studies, action projects, and self appraisals.

READINGS REQUIRED BY THE BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

Please note that only those sections listed below are INCLUDED.

Boston Fire Department Incident Command System (Dated February 1, 2006).

Progressive Discipline Guidelines, Boston Fire Department (Dated July 1, 1986).

Rules and Regulations of the Boston Fire Department (Dated June 1, 1997).
District Fire Chief - 1, 2, 10, 17, 18, & 20.
Deputy Fire Chief - 1, 2, 5, 17, 18, & 20.

Standard Operating Procedures of the Boston Fire Department (Dated May 6, 2009).
1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 21, 22, 27, 29, 31, 32, 32A, 32B, 32C, 35, 37, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 46, 48, 49, 49A, 49B, 53, 53A, 53B, 54, 55, 56, 57A, 57B, 57C, 59, 60A, 60B, 61, 61A, 61B, 62, and 65.

READING LIST CONTINUED 

PUBLISHERS OF READING LIST TEXTS

Federal Emergency Management Agency, P.O. Box 2012, Jessup, MD  20794; (800) 480-2520, Option #4.
Fire Engineering, P. O. Box 21288, Tulsa, OK  74121-9971; (800) 752-9764; www.pennwellbooks.com.
Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University, 930 North Willis, Stillwater, OK  74078-8045; (800) 654-4055; www.ifsta.org.
International City Management Association (ICMA) Distribution Center, P. O. Box 931897, Atlanta, GA  31193; (800) 745-8780; www.icma.org.
Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA  01776-9848; (800) 832-0034; www.jbpub.com.
Prentice-Hall, Inc., Pearson Education, Consumer Credit Sales, 200 Old Tappan Road, Old Tappan, NJ  07675; (800) 947-7700; www.prenhall.com or http://vig.pearsoned.com/store/home/1,1205,store-20180_id-2,00.html.  
Please note that the Human Resources Division does not recommend specific bookstores for purchasing reading list texts. For local vendors, contact the publisher at the telephone number listed or check with your personnel department or union representative for assistance. Many local bookstores will be able to special-order any text not carried in stock.  Any questions regarding the reading list may be directed to Christine Barbas, Ed. D., Personnel Selection Specialist, at (617) 878-9745. A copy of this reading list is posted on the Human Resources Division website at: www.mass.gov/civilservice under Examination Information>Reading Lists.