OPEN COMPETITIVE FIRE CHIEF POSITION l .
MASSACHUSETTS HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION
OPEN COMPETITIVE FiRE CHIEF
AGAWAM FIRE DEPARTMENT AMENDED ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 7978
Last Date to Apply: February 13, 2006 Please file early, Examination Date: March 18, 2006
$125.00 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.usthrd/
This examination is held to establish an eligible list from which to fill vacancies in this title in the Agawam Fire Department.
SALARY: Inquiries concerning salary should be directed to the appointing authority at the time of the employment interview.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least five years of full-time, or equivalent part time experience in a governmental or
private fire department or fire service in a managerial, supervisory or administrative capacity, (administrative capacity is defined as one which
requires the direction of a segment of a department's operation and includes the estimation of resources required to accomplish objectives
and the development and recommendations of policies,work methods and procedures within the framework of broader policies established
by higher level officials), or any equivalent combination of such experience and the substitutions below:
SUBSTITUTIONS:
1. A Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with a major in fire science,public administration, business management, or
management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience on the basis of one year of such education for six
months of the required experience.*
Il. A Master's degree or higher from a recognized college or university with a major in fire science, public administration, business
management,or management may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required experience."
"NOTE; Educational substitutions will be permitted for a maximum of 3 years of the required experience. Education toward such a degree
will be prorated on the basis of the requirements actually completed. One year of education is equal to 30 semester hours or its equivalent.
DUTIES:-Under the general supervision of the municipal appointing authority, directs the operations of a Municipal Fire Department,
exercising supervision over direct reporting staff and overseeing the delivery of major municipal fire services; 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 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; carries out
public relations activities and prepares and disseminates news releases; plans and conducts hearings and meetings on issues of public
concern;prepares and submits budget requests and administers department budget;interviews and selects personnel for promotion; reviews
and negotiates contract proposals from contractors and/or vendors; and performs related duties as required.
EXAMINATION SUBJECTS: The written examination will be designed to test,where practicable,the following know ledges,skills,and
abilities which have been established as qualifications for the position: Knowledge of the principles and practices of frreground 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; knowledge of
safety practices related to the fire service.
EXAMINATION WEIGHTS: Your results on the written exam represent 90% of your final mark,with your rating in education and experience
making up the remaining 10%. Applicants must get a passing mark on each of the weighted components. If you are NOT claiming credit for
prior relevant experience, your results on the written examination represents your final mark.
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Test results will be sent to all persons taking the examination.
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OPEN COMPETITIVE FIRE CHIEF ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 7978
AGAWAM FIRE DEPARTMENT EXAMINATION DATE: MARCH 18, 2006
CREDIT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND EXPERIENCE: Pursuant to the provisions of Section 22 of Chapter 31, individuals may apply for credit
for employment and experience in the examination title.At the examination,you will be asked to submit a completed
Employment/Experience Credit Form to claim employment and experience 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. Information
regarding the Employment/Experience Claim Form is posted approximately two weeks prior to the examination on the HRD website at 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
Employment/Experience credit for this examination.
Examination Forms for this examination will be available after March 1,2006.You must download a copy of the EmploymentlExperience
Claim Form and the instructions for preparing the form 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:
617-727-3777, extension 71355. 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 1, 2006, by logging on to the Human Resources Division Standings and On-line Applicant Record Information system. .
Please follow the instructions on how to Get a Copy of Your Notice to Aooear 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 credit card, on-line at the Human Resources Division website: -
httpsalwww.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/hrd until midnight on February 13, 2006. A confirmation number for each 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 or by mail
with HRD. 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.Your application MUST be received in HIRD
by 5:00 p.m.on February 13, 2006 or be postmarked by midnight on February 13, 2006.
CURRENT MILITARY PERSONNEL:ALL military personnel who, in connection with current service, CANNOT be in Massachusetts on
March 18, 2006 should contact the Human Resources Division to request a make up examination. To request a make up, you must:
• file an application and processing fee by the last filing date(February 13, 2005);
• request such accommodation in writing, with a copy of-your military orders attached; include in your letter your e-mail address, your
daytime base phone number, or name and phone number of a Massachusetts resident with whom you are in regular contact;
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 the circle in item#15 of your application,and include 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.Without such a letter,we cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant your accommodation. This information is sought-only to
provide reasonable accommodation on the day of the examination 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$125. 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 7978 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.
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OPEN COMPETITIVE FIRE CHIEF ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 7978
AGAWAM FIRE DEPARTMENT EXAMINATION DATE: MARCH 18, 2006
FEE WAIVER:The examination-processing fee may be waived for applicants receiving certain forms of state or federal public assistance,
unemployment insurance,or workers' compensation. If you are claiming a fee waiver,fill in item#16 on your application. Fee waiver forms
are available from and must be filed with the Massachusetts Human Resources Division (see address below).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 the assistance.
MAKE-UP TEST: No applicant has a right to a makeup examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing
date..Applicants are advised to check their calendar BEFORE applying for the examination.
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.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you are claiming veterans'preference and if your eligibility for veterans' preference has not been approved
before by HRD,you must submit a copy of your DID Form 214(Release From Active Duty)in order to receive proper credit.Your notice to
appear for the examination will indicate whether or not you are already classified as a veteran. 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 180 days and
have been activated under Title 10 of the U.S. Code-OR-if activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code or Massachusetts General
Laws, chapter 33, sections 38, 40, and 41, must have 90 days, at least one of which was during wartime.The Members' last discharge or
release must be under honorable conditions.Those who otherwise qualify for veterans' preference, but are still in military service may,as of
July 1, 1998, 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 1998 Amendment to MGL, Chapter 31, Section 11, Clause (f)),
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.
Training Duty Exemption: Active service in the armed forces as used in this clause shall not include active duty for training in the Army or
Air National Guard or active duty for training as a Reservist in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Disabled Veteran Status: Claims for status as a disabled veteran require written confirmation from the US Veterans Administration of a
continuing service-connected disability rated 10%.or higher.Applicants wishing to claim status as disabled veterans will get the opportunity to
claim such at the test site with instructions to follow.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Information about this examination can be obtained on the Intemet at www,mass.gov/civilservice or by contacting the Human Resources
Division Monday through Friday, 1 Ashburton Place, Room 301, Boston, MA, 021088,8:45 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
PLEASE SEE READING LIST ON NEXT PAGE
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OPEN COMPETITIVE DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 7965
AGAWAM FIRE DEPARTMENT EXAMINATION DATE: MARCH 18,2006
READING LIST FOR THE 2006 PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATIONS
DISTRICT FIRE CHIEF
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF
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.
Brannigan, F. (1992). Building Construction for the Fire Service(3rd ed.).Avon, MA: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
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.
Lesak, D. M. (1999). Hazardous Materials:Strategies and Tactics. Des Moines, IA: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
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). Introduction to Fire Origin and Cause (3rd ed.). Oklahoma State
University, Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications. Omit Appendices A, B, and C.
International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA). (1994). Private Fire Protection and Detection (2"d ed.). Oklahoma State
University, Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications.
Massachusetts General taws, Chapter 148(as amended through the release date of this reading list).
Phelps, B.W. (1991). Incident Command System Policy and Procedures Manual. Pasadena, MD: Burton W. Phelps, Inc.
Smith,J. P. (2002). Strategic and Tactical Considerations on the Fireground. Des Moines, IA: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Tucker, M. L., McCarthy, A. M., & Benton, D.A. (2002). The Human Challenge(71h ed.). Des Moines, IA: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
PUBLISHERS OF READING LIST TEXTS
Burton W. Phelps, Inc., 1213 Lorene Drive, Pasadena, MD 21122; (410)437-1990.
Fire Engineering, P. O. Box 21288,Tulsa, OK 74121-9971; (800) 752-9768; www.pennwellbooks.com.
Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University, 930 North Willis, Stillwater, OK 74078-0118; (800)654-4056;www.ifsta.org.
International City Management Association (ICMA) Distribution Center, P. O. Box 931897, Atlanta, GA 31193;(800) 745-8780;
wwwJcma.org.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 11 Tracy Drive,Avon, MA 02322; (800)344-3555;www.nfpa.org.
Prentice-Hall, Inc., P. O, Box 11071, Des Moines, IA 50336; (800) 947-7700;www.prenhalf.com.
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 the Chief of your department, your department's human
resources office or local union representative for assistance. Many local bookstores will be able to special-order any text not carried in
stock.
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