Boston Fire Department
Fire Fighting Force
The officers of the fire fighting force have the following and are ranked in the following descending order:
Chief of Department
Chief of Operations
Deputy Fire Chief
District Fire Chief
Fire Captain
Fire Lieutenant
The fire fighting force is organized into divisions, districts, and companies.
There are 2 divisions and 11 districts (1 and 3 through 12). Each division is under the command of a Deputy Fire Chief and each district is under the command of a District Fire Chief. Division 1 is comprised of Districts 1, 3 (includes old district 2), 4, 6, and 11. Division 2 is comprised of Districts 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12.
The companies are classified as follows:
- Engine Company
- Ladder Company
- Rescue Company
- Tower Company
- Marine Unit
All companies are under the command of a Fire Captain and are divided into four working groups (shifts). Three of the four working groups are under the supervision of a Fire Lieutenant. Minimum staffing on all companies except for the Rescue Companies, Tower Company, and Marine Unit is one officer and three fire fighters per shift. The Rescue Companies, Tower Company, and Marine Unit are staffed with a minimum of one officer and four fire fighters per shift.
The Boston Fire Department works a 42-hours a week schedule. The work schedule (tour of duty) is as follows:
- Day Tour: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Night Tour: 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM