massachusetts Human Resources Division 

DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION                                               ANNOUNCEMENT #6996

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF Billerica FIRE Department 
Last date for filing applications:  February 14, 2011                          Examination Date:  March 19, 2011

$250.00 Examination application fee required.	 Please file early.
Apply on-line with Visa or MasterCard at https://www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/hrd/

Money orders and certified bank checks accepted when applying by mail.                     No cash or personal checks.

ELIGIBILITY:  To be eligible for this examination you must be an employee in the Billerica Fire Department with permanent civil service status in the below listed eligible title(s).  You are also required to have been employed in the 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 eligible 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 an eligible title as of the date of the examination in order to be eligible.  Time spent pursuant to a temporary appointment in the title of Deputy Fire Chief will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position. 
Eligibility Title(S)
Fire Captain

NOTE: Pursuant to the provisions of MGL Ch. 31 § 59, if less than four applications are received from eligible applicants, as defined above, this examination will be postponed.

SALARY:  Questions regarding salary should be directed to the Appointing Authority. 

DUTIES:  Under general supervision, assists in the direction of the operations of the Billerica Fire Department, including budgeting, long-range planning and public relations; exercises supervision over direct reporting staff and develops and maintains departmental efficiency, morale and order; evaluates the availability of fiscal and equipment resources, personnel and local needs relative to the protection of life and property 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;  and performs related duties as required.

EXAMINATION SUBJECTS:  The written examination will be designed to test, where practicable, the following knowledge, abilities and skills that 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 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 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.

CREDIT FOR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Pursuant to the provisions of MGL Ch. 31, § 22, individuals may be granted credit for education and experience in the eligible title(s) identified in this announcement. At the examination, a red and white scannable Rating Sheet will be distributed.  You will be asked to complete this Rating Sheet to claim education and experience credit and to provide full documentation supporting your claims.  This Rating Sheet must be submitted by applicants at the examination site. Any subsequent adjustments to claims must be made in writing and, along with supporting documentation, must be postmarked within 7 calendar days of the written examination.  Information on how to complete the Rating Sheet is posted approximately two weeks prior to the examination at www.mass.gov/hrd/examforms. If you have multiple conferred degrees and have applied the same course credits from one degree to another, HRD will grant you full education and experience points for one degree, but will prorate the points for your additional degrees(s) to account for any course overlap.

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. 

Examination Forms for this examination will be available after February 28, 2011. 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, available by clicking on the Exam Forms link. If you cannot download or print these documents, please contact the Civil Service Unit via the contact information listed on page 3.

HOW TO APPLY
All applications MUST be filed with HRD, or postmarked, by midnight on February 14, 2011. You may apply online for this examination, using a Visa or Mastercard, at https://www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/hrd/. A confirmation number for each successful transaction will be issued. You may also obtain a paper application form, and file it along with the examination-processing fee (or fee waiver form) in person at or by mail to HRD (see address and business hours on page 3). Applications and fee waiver forms may also be available at city and town clerks’ offices across the state. If you mail your application, send all correspondence by certified mail with "return receipt requested," if possible. 

EXAMINATION FEE: All applications must be accompanied by a money order, certified bank check, credit card payment, or by a completed fee waiver form. The examination-processing fee is $250. Payment by money order or certified bank check should be made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please print your name, address, social security number, and the examination announcement number on the front of the money order or certified bank check. Payments by Master Card and VISA are also accepted when applying online. NO CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS. 

FEE WAIVER:  The examination fee may be waived for candidates receiving certain state or federal public assistance, unemployment insurance, or workers' compensation. Fee waiver forms are available from and must be filed at the address below, and may also be downloaded from the Applicant Forms section of our website (www.mass.gov/civilservice).  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. To file a waiver, you must file a paper application form, and be sure to fill in item #16 on the application.

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 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 item #15 on the paper application form, or click the corresponding circle in the online application. You must also submit a letter of support from a qualified professional detailing what type of accommodation you require at the exam site. Without such a letter, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant your accommodation. This information is requested only to provide reasonable accommodation for exams, and will not be used for any other purposes. 

CURRENT MILITARY PERSONNEL:  ALL military personnel who, in connection with current service, have military orders that indicate their unavailability due to military service on March 19, 2011, 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 friend or family member with whom you have regular contact and entrust with your personal communication.

NO MAKE-UP EXAMINATION:  With the exception of current military personnel as described above, no candidate has a right to a make-up examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date. Candidates are advised to consider this BEFORE applying for the examination.

If you file an exam application by February 14, 2011, but are unable to appear for the exam on March 19, 2011, 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 written examination date.  HRD reserves the right to approve or deny your request.  HRD may require an additional examination-processing fee upon approval of your request.

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

NOTICE TO APPEAR: Notices to Appear to the assigned examination site will be mailed to candidates for this examination. You will be able to get a copy of your notice after March 7, 2011, 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 used the system before.  Please follow the instructions provided at 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, service, or publisher offering preparation and/or publications 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., driver’s license, passport, military ID).

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Candidates are responsible for notifying HRD in writing of any change of address after applying for the examination. Candidates may submit changes of address online in SOARIS at: https://www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/standings/, or by sending a written request, including former address, new address, effective date of new address, and social security number to HRD at the address below. Failure to keep your records up-to-date may jeopardize opportunities for employment.

VETERANS: 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 online 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. Although you may supply this proof at any time during the life of the eligible list, it is recommended that you submit it at the time of the examination or immediately upon qualification.
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 Ch. 31, §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).

During the HRD review process or during the life of the applicable eligible list(s), applicants must make original supporting documentation available should the issue of authenticity arise with the submitted copies. 

STATUTORY PREFERENCE POINTS: Upon submission of written proof, two points will be added to the passing score of qualified veterans or individuals who have 25 years of service as a member of a regular police or fire force and have passed an examination for promotional appointment in such force. 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.
To claim the Promotional Preference for 25 years of service, applicants must claim this preference at the examination site and verify eligibility on the Employment Verification Form submitted for this examination. 
Please see “VETERANS’ PREFERENCE” section above for submission requirements to claim the Veterans’ Preference.  

For more information about this and other civil service examinations, see www.mass.gov/civilservice or email the Civil Service Unit at CivilService@hrd.state.ma.us.

Correspondence may be sent to:
Human Resources Division
1 Ashburton Place, Room 301
Boston, MA 02108
ATTN: Test Administration

                                                                              -OR-
FAX Number:  (617) 727-0399

HRD’s office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., except holidays. Inquiries may also be made to HRD during these hours at the following numbers: 
Boston area:  (617) 878-9895 Within Massachusetts: 1-800-392-6178  TTY Number:  (617) 878-9762

READING LIST FOR DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATIONS TO DISTRICT FIRE CHIEF, DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF, AND FIRE CHIEF

Examinations for this series are scheduled for March 19, 2011. All applicants are responsible for reading all the texts and other materials listed below and on all pages of this announcement. Please note carefully which edition and/or date of publication is listed for each item. All chapters, appendices, glossaries, etc., are included unless otherwise noted. All examination questions will be based on these materials.

Brannigan, F.L. and Corbett, G.P. (2008). Brannigan’s Building Construction for the Fire Service (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Code of Massachusetts Regulations on Fire Prevention (527 CMR) (as amended through the release date of this reading list).
Entire Sections of 1, 4, 6, 10, 14, 24, & 25.

Dunn, V. (1992). Safety and Survival on the Fireground. Tulsa, OK: Fire Engineering.

International City Management Association. (2002). Managing Fire and Rescue 	Services.  Atlanta, GA: International City Management Association (ICMA) Distribution Center.
	District Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief—Chapters 3, 4, 8, 9, & 12.
	Fire Chief—Chapters 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, & 8.

International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). (2005). Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (3rd ed.). Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications.

International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). (2004). Hazardous Materials for First Responders (3rd ed.). Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications.
	Entire book except appendices, metric equivalents, glossary, tables, and figures.

International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). (2005). Introduction to Fire Origin and Cause (3rd ed.). Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications. Omit Appendices A, B, and C.

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 148 (as amended through September 17, 2010).

National Incident Management System, FEMA P-501, December 2008. (Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security)                                                                                                                                  
Entire book, including Appendix B, Glossary of Key Terms, and Acronyms.  
Exclude Appendix A.

Smith, J. P. (2008). Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground (2nd ed.).  Old Tappan, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Entire Text Except Chapter 2.

Tucker, M. L., McCarthy, A. M., & Benton, D. A. (2002). The Human Challenge (7th ed.).  Old Tappan, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

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 the purchase of reading list texts. For local vendors, contact the publishers at the telephone number or web site listed, or check with the Chief of your department or local union representative for assistance. Many local bookstores will be able to special-order any text not carried in stock.