Fall River Fire Department announces new hiring initiative through establishment of Civil Service Local Register

Fall River, MA — According to a release, the Fall River Fire Department has announced a new hiring initiative through the establishment of a Civil Service Local Register (Hybrid List) to support ongoing operational needs and strengthen daily emergency response staffing.

Following the Gabriel House fire, the department increased its daily staffing to enhance public safety and ensure adequate on-scene resources. While this change has improved operational capability, it has also required the department to rely heavily on overtime personnel to maintain these staffing levels. Establishing a Local Register will allow FRFD to hire experienced firefighters who can make an immediate and meaningful impact on the department.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who have earned Firefighter I/II certification from the Massachusetts State Fire Academy, hold at least EMT-Basic certification, and are currently employed full-time as firefighters. Other applicants will be considered based on their qualifications.

This hiring method offers a significant advantage: unlike traditional new-recruit hiring, which requires 6 to 9 months of academy and field training, firefighters hired through the Local Register can be assigned to a company in approximately two weeks. This accelerated integration will help stabilize staffing more quickly while reducing the department’s reliance on overtime.

Eligible and interested candidates are asked to submit a letter of intent and resume to: Barret Castro at executiveassistant@frfd.org

The Fall River Fire Department states that they are committed to maintaining the highest standards of service and readiness, and this initiative represents an important step in strengthening the department for the community it serves.