2026 Firefighter

2026 Municipal Firefighter Examination

This exam is being administered by the Human Resources Division (HRD) to establish an eligible list from which to fill Firefighter vacancies in Civil Service Fire Departments.

This examination consists of two components which make up your total score; a written examination 50% and an entry level physical ability test (ELPAT) 50%. Application Open Date: June 22, 2026. Application Deadline: August 31, 2026. Examination Processing Fee: $75.00.

Written Examination Period: October 2-10, 2026. Testing will begin on August 3, 2026, and will continue through early 2027 until all candidates have been scheduled and have had the opportunity to take the ELPAT.

Entry Level Physical Ability Test (ELPAT) Examination Location: 571A Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749.

Candidates who do not pass both the written examination and the ELPAT, will result in failure of the examination and will not be placed on the eligible list.

Notice to Appear including date, time and location of examination will be emailed to candidates approximately two weeks prior to the examination date.

At the examination site, candidates must present current and valid photo identification with signature (e.g., driver's license, passport, military ID).

Typical Qualifications Examples of Essential Duties for a Municipal Firefighter: Firefighters often perform risky and physically demanding duties under emergency conditions. Firefighters work under supervision, often as a member of a team, to respond to fires and other emergencies. Firefighter duties may include, for example: connecting, pulling, and operating hose lines; operating a pump; positioning and climbing ladders; emergency rescue and lifesaving; ventilating smoke-filled areas; using and maintaining tools and equipment; training; and fire station activities.

Written Examination: The written examination consists of three subtests: the Written Ability Test (WAT), the Life Experience Survey (LES), and the Work Styles Questionnaire (WSQ). The WAT is administered to measure cognitive abilities that have been identified as essential to performing the duties of a Firefighter. The WAT includes areas of verbal expression, verbal comprehension, problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, and information ordering. The LES consists of a series of multiple-choice questions related to candidates past history and experience of potential relevance to successful performance of entry level Firefighters. The WSQ is designed to assess certain motivational, value-related and attitudinal characteristics that are of potential relevance to successful performance of entry level Firefighters.

Entry Level Physical Ability Test (ELPAT): The ELPAT is designed to assess a candidate's capacity to perform the tasks ordinarily performed by a Firefighter while on the job. This is accomplished by requiring the candidate to perform a series of events that both simulate firefighting activities and depend on the physical abilities required to perform the Firefighter's job.

Municipal Firefighter candidates who pass the written examination, ELPAT, and receive a conditional offer of employment from a municipality will be instructed on how to apply for the Physical Ability Test and other screening processes.

All eligible candidates who took and passed the 2025 Firefighter examination were placed onto the eligible list for up to two years. Individuals may take the 2026 Firefighter examination to extend their eligibility for an additional two years.

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