april MA Firefighter Test...

[npsranger491]

Hey anyone know how many applications they have for this test so far?

I know down in Jersey for the PD test (which doesn't close for a few more weeks) they all ready have over 29,000... That's right boys and girls, I said 29,000!

Guess what I am wondering is I am over 35 so that leaves out most of the town's but I still can get hired in a few good ones... wonder what my odd's are up in Mass. Wonder if it gonna be like Jersey is every test.

anybody got the inside track?

491

[hfd66truck]

The problem is, unless you have residency(ie live in the Town or City you want to get hired in, at the time of the test) your chances for consideration are pretty slim. I am sure the numbers are high, but not sure of the total. If I can find out, I'll pass it on.

Dave

[stm4710]

Sorry to say bro......... the S.S Civil Service test left port Febuary 20th. :(

It wont come sailing around again for two years.

[npsranger491]

HFD....

Do you know this for a fact... I see nothing in the announcment that said you need to be a resident?

stm..

Do you think I am some kind of knucklehead that can't read...(kidding) I know it closed in Feb, I sent my application in months ago... I am just thinking about blowing it off...

[DaSharkie]

Most cities and towns require that you have residency within the community for at least one year prior to the date of the exam. If you do not you are reanked in one of the most bizarre ranking methods ever imagained (Welcome to Masssachusetts). If you are not a veteran in most of the larger cities you have little to no likelihood of being mailed a card unless there are mass hirings, and that just isn't going to happen in Mass. any time soon. The state is broke, the towns are broke, and tehre are soem BIG cuts coming in many towns.

You are over 32, so it is unlikely that they will hire you if you get a card because many towns have made the age of 32 on the day of the exam the limit for hiring due to pension reform.

If you are not a Mass. certified EMT or Paramedic you are not going to get the EMT or Medic preference or be placed on the state medic list. Mass. does not accept National Registry either. Mass. OEMS moves at an agonizingly slow pace and is in a bit of a turmoil as DPH is being changed a bit from what I have heard.

Many communities are still under a Federal consent decree order to hire minorities and this further reduces your chances. Blacks and hispanics are the only "minorities" covered by this federal court order. In many communitiees one minority must be hired for every white applicant. In some it is one for 3 or one for 5 depending upon the makeup of each community.

On top of all of this, those guys that were on a civil service department and were laid off, get absolute hiring preference ANYWHERE IN THE STATE. If you work in Springfield and were laid off last year, and Boston hires you get to pick a slot and get on Boston or any other community that hires.

I am not saying not to take the test but you need to know what you are getting into in this state.

On top of the hiring processes, civil service says you must live within 15 miles of the community's borders. In 2003 the average single family home sold for over $399,000 and the average condo sold for over $270,000 (I heard it on the radio the other day and nearly died). There is a 5% sales tax, 5.3% income tax, and property taxes are astronomical. Average tax bill in my town is probably well over $3,000 or 4,000 per year. Do your homework.