Firefighter Exam to be held on April 24 in MA

2010 Firefighter Exam Information 

FIREFIGHTER, MUNICIPAL SERVICE
OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION
WRITTEN EXAM DATE: APRIL 24, 2010
ENTRY LEVEL PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST DATE (ELPAT):
DECEMBER 2009 - SEPTEMBER 3, 2010 

The Human Resources Division (HRD) is currently accepting applications for the 2010 Firefighter, Municipal Service Examination. This examination consists of two components: the Written examination and the Entry Level Physical Ability Test.  Candidates MUST TAKE and PASS BOTH components in order to be placed on the eligible list for appointment in a civil service city or town. 
The Written examination will be held on April 24, 2010 at various sites across the state.
The Entry Level Physical Ability Test (ELPAT) will be administered from December 2009 through September 3, 2010 at the Hudson National Guard Armory.
Please note that there is only one site available for the ELPAT.  This component of the exam MUST be completed by September 3, 2010.  Appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis.  Failure to complete the ELPAT by the deadline of September 3, 2010 will result in failure of the examination and your name will not be placed on the eligible list.  HRD strongly encourages candidates to sign up for and take the ELPAT as soon as possible.
Notice to appear information for the ELPAT will be sent to you via e-mail.  A copy of the notice will be placed in your SOARIS account.  Applicants are responsible for maintaining current e-mail address information with HRD. 
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO APPEAR INFORMATION 
2010 ELPAT NOTICE TO APPEAR
A notice to appear informing you of where and when to report to take the ENTRY LEVEL PAT EXAM (the time and location of your exam) will be e-mailed to you approximately 1-4 days after your approved application has been received. If you do not receive your PAT site assignment electronically 1-4 days after your on-line submission, call (617) 878-9895, or email us atPAT.Administrator@hrd.state.ma.us

2010 FIREFIGHTER WRITTEN EXAMINATION NOTICE TO APPEAR
A notice to appear informing each applicant of where and when to report to take the exam (the time and location of applicant´s exam) will be available in SOARIS approximately 7-10 days before the examination date. Applicants must print your notice to appear from SOARIS at https://www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/standings. Any applicant, who has not already created a SOARIS account, will need to register as a first-time user of the system. SOARIS is a separate system from the civil service on-line application site you are using to file an application for a test. Any applicants who do not receive a hard copy of his/her notice to appear in the postal mail and are unable to access their exam site assignment in SOARIS within 7 days of the exam, should call (617) 878-9895, or e-mail the Human Resources Division (HRD) at civilservice@hrd.state.ma.us. 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 
Why should I take the ELPAT before taking the written exam?
There is only one site for the ELPAT and to ensure you receive a space it is recommended that you take the ELPAT, as soon as possible, even before taking the written exam. 
What happens if I file applications for both components (the written and ELPAT) and subsequently take and fail the ELPAT before the written exam date (April 24, 2010)?
Since you did not take the written exam yet but have no chance to be on the eligible list due to failing the ELPAT component, you will receive a refund of the written exam component fee.
What happens if I file applications for both components (the written and ELPAT), take and pass the ELPAT before the written exam date (April 24, 2010) and then fail the written exam?
You will not receive a refund for either component since you have taken both components.
I filed an application for the ELPAT and my ELPAT was scheduled for a week later, why so soon?
Resources, time and space are limited to conduct the ELPAT which will be running from December 2009 through September 3, 2010.  When you apply for the ELPAT you will be AUTO-SCHEDULED for the FIRST available slot in the ELPAT schedule which begins in December 2009.  All ELPAT´s will be held at the Hudson Amory. 
READ THE ENTIRE EXAM ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE APPLYING
2010 FIREFIGHTER EXAM ANNOUNCEMENT(RTF) <http://www.mass.gov/Eoaf/docs/hrd/cs/posters/ff/2010firefighterposter.rtf> 
PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST PREPARATION GUIDE(WORD) <http://www.mass.gov/Eoaf/docs/hrd/cs/publications/fire_pat_prep_guide.doc> 
WRITTEN EXAMINATION ORIENTATION GUIDE(PDF) <http://www.mass.gov/Eoaf/docs/hrd/cs/publications/ff_written_prep_guide.pdf>  - Updated 01/28/2010
APPLY ON-LINE WITH A VISA OR MASTERCARD <https://www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/CSExamApply>  
 
2010 ELPAT WALK-THROUGH SCHEDULE
ELPAT WALK-THROUGH SCHEDULE (XLS) <http://www.mass.gov/Eoaf/docs/hrd/cs/posters/ff/elpat/monthly_walkthru_schedule.xls>