The Acton Fire Department protects the Town of Acton, Massachusetts, a Middlesex County community northwest of Boston. Its 43 uniformed members provide fire suppression, fire prevention and public education, hazardous materials emergency response, rescue, and advanced life support ambulance service around the clock. The department also runs the town's E-911 emergency dispatch center jointly with the Acton Police Department, and it works on emergency preparedness and disaster mitigation alongside other town departments.

The department operates from four stations, including a new, environmentally friendly station in North Acton, and its headquarters and administrative offices are at 371 Main Street in Acton Center. A station-deployment pilot program launched in February 2025 has tested how crews and apparatus are distributed across town; under it, each response district pairs an engine or ladder company with an ALS ambulance under a captain or lieutenant shift officer, with at least one paramedic on every ambulance.

Fire Chief Anita R. Arnum has led the department since June 2023. Frontline equipment includes Seagrave fire apparatus, Scott X3 SCBA with wireless radio, and Amkus battery-powered rescue tools, while the ambulances carry Zoll X Series monitors, video laryngoscopes, IV pumps, Lucas chest-compression devices, and power-load stretchers.

How to get hired

Acton hires through the town's Human Resources office. Openings are posted on the Town of Acton employment page, and candidates submit a resume, cover letter, and copies of their certifications to HR by the posted deadline; the department then holds initial interviews on announced dates. Candidates must be able to pass the Massachusetts Physical Ability Test (PAT) for firefighters.

The July 2026 Firefighter/Paramedic recruitment started pay at $85,560 a year — a $75,052 base plus a 9% EMT-P stipend and 13 contractual holidays — for a 42-hour workweek, with rotating overtime and an educational stipend on top.

Requirements

Massachusetts Paramedic Certification (for Firefighter/Paramedic openings)
ACLS, CPR, and PALS certifications
Valid driver's license
High school diploma or GED minimum
Ability to pass the Massachusetts Physical Ability Test (PAT) for firefighters

Hiring process

Submit a resume, cover letter, and certifications to Town of Acton Human Resources (jobs@actonma.gov) by the posted deadline
Initial interview with the department on announced dates
Pass the Massachusetts Physical Ability Test (PAT) for firefighters

Benefits

Per the town's July 2026 Firefighter/Paramedic posting:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
Middlesex County Retirement System pension, plus 457(b) and Roth IRA plans
13 contractual holidays and a 9% EMT-P stipend for paramedics
Paid vacation (accrual system), personal time, and sick time
Rotating overtime and an educational stipend
$425 fitness club reimbursement for employees on the town health plan

Leadership & hiring contacts

Anita R. Arnum

Fire Chief

Christopher Sammet

Deputy Chief

Good to know

Does the Acton Fire Department require paramedic certification?

Not for every role — line crews are firefighter/EMTs, with at least one paramedic assigned to each ALS ambulance. Recent recruitment has focused on Firefighter/Paramedics, who must hold Massachusetts Paramedic certification with ACLS, CPR, and PALS, and who earn a 9% EMT-P stipend on top of base pay.

Which fire stations does the Acton Fire Department operate?

Four: Station 1 (7 Concord Road), Station 2 in South Acton (54 School Street), Station 3 in West Acton (256 Central Street), and Station 4 in North Acton (68 Harris Street), the department's newest station. Department administration is based at 371 Main Street.

How can I find out when the Acton Fire Department is hiring?

Openings are posted on the Town of Acton's employment page and appear here on Driftsmoke — watch this department to get an alert when a new Acton posting goes live.