Local #4 Recruitment and Hiring Process

Hey Everyone,

I just applied to the Local # 4 out of Mass and was trying to find out if there was anyone else also going through this process. I have a test on 12/18/17 and am very nervous because this could be the career that changes everything for me and my family. I am a Marine Corps and .on-call firefighter . Again just wanted to know if anyone had information on this local or anything else that might be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Did you not use the Helmets to Hardhats program? Im working out of Local 52 in Norfolk, Virginia and we have a handful of vets... and to my understanding with that program you skip over the aptitude test and go straight into interview. Either way good luck, the trade is life-changing.

Hey semperfire,

Fellow vet here, and I also applied to the local 4 - luckily I was able to take the test earlier in the year through another recruitment.

Don't stress too hard about the test - I'm not sure what you feel your strengths are, but for me, I am solid on english comprehension so I skipped prepping for that. I mainly had to refocus on math without a calculator. I had gotten so comfortable using one doing complex calculus that I could barely remember how to multiply fractions or decimals in my head. The math portion is not incredibly difficult - think about addition/subtraction/multiplication/division and some fraction/decimal work - just touch up on anything you don't really remember on Khan Academy. The mechanical portion was tough, make sure you understand how systems of gears/cogs work and anything with fluid dynamics or pressure and electrical circuits. It is kind of similar to the ASVAB, and the time crunch can get kinda real so just remain calm and work as quickly as you can.

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and eat before the test too and try to calm the nerves, mine were insane in the beginning, but once I got into the flow I calmed down enough to work through it.
Best of luck!

Hey Guys, Just an update. I passed my test and recieved an email that i should get an interview date before 1/16/ 18. Dxxx_93.. the local contacted me through helmets to hard hats but explained that i still had to test. They said the local voted on it prior to opening up recruitment. Either way I am glad i passed. Any thoughts or tips on the interview ? Gsmiley, how was your process. Did you get on the list and working or are you. I wish I knew how i actually performed on the test

Congrats! I'm still waiting to interview everywhere I applied, so no lists yet - I think we are in the same timeframe, where Jan/Feb will be the interviews. I assume Boston flies through the list being a major metropolitan area, and from what I've read we will get some sort of extra points for being veterans - so ideally we will place high enough to get called sooner rather than later. I feel you on wanting feedback, I feel like I barely scraped by on that test, but who knows.

gmiley, where else did you interview? Any luck with those locals? I am just trying to get prepared so I can present well before the interview board. I wish I knew what questions they were going to ask. Also do you have any other certs that are applicable to the trade. I have couple from being a volunteer firefighter for a while. I read on another post that you get 5 points for being a vet but, im not sure how much that will factor in during the rest of the process.

Basic interview questions. The entire process is headed out of 100 points. 20 of which are the tool exam. 5points for a vet, 5 for school, etc, etc... Every certificate can help so take copies of everything. I too was a firefighter for 4 years and they mentioned how many fire certificates I had. I turned it into a positive the best I could. Go in,be honest, be yourself and be prepared

Are you on the job now or still on the list. I appreciate the info about the certs. I let my EMT license expire last year, should I get that reinstated or is it not worth it?

I'm just on the list. Unfortunately, probably not high enough to get hired. I wouldn't worry about the EMT personally

Update. I got my interview email yesterday, I will be interviewing on the 19th of this month. Has anyone else gotten an email? Also I called the local with a personal question and also found out the interviews will be conducted from Jan 17th to about Feb 15th. With list rankings be available around the end of Feb.

wow that was quick semperfire, i got my results on dec 5th and still havent gotten my email for the interview yet..giving it til monday then im calling my local...

Best of luck, I’m being processed in nyc and going Thru the same process as you, hoping this works out.

Let me know if you have any tips on the interview mine is on the 25th.

I had my interview a week ago, I was not prepared for the questions asked, and it did threw me off a bit, was a bit overwhelming for me (stress out over little things), but I was just myself and completely honest with them, but I'm doubting I scored above 70 on the interview. If we fail interview do we have to take the exam over in 2 years? I feel much more prepared now that I know what they are expecting on the interview, just unfortunately might have to wait 2 more years.

You only have to take the exam once. The tool assessment you will have to retake.

Just wanted to check in and see if anyone had gotten a update. Called last week and they said they were finishing up interviews mid FEB.

Got my number. Confirmation emails are going out starting tomorrow. and continuing into next week. Good luck everyone.

I'll be anxiously awaiting the email! Here's hoping...

Got my number!! Anyone know how many people get hired on any regular basis in Local4? Thanks!

I forgot to post that I am #17 . I will keep the forum updated as the process continues. Please anyone else with thier number or other info keep us all updated as well. Good luck to everyone!

congrats guys, I didnt get my number yet so I guess next week and those that got it today are lower numbers. I'm not expecting to even be on the list, but we'll see, thanks for keeping us updated semper. I wonder how fast they hire in Boston too, but shouldn't be too bad since there's buildings going up everywhere.

Congrats Semper! When I was at the interview, I was told that if you were in the first 50 to be ready to go ASAP.... I wouldn't be surprised if you were called by 3/1. I'm 346.... so maybe by 2020 before the list is renewed? I can only hope!

Any updates?

Nothing here. :-/

Hey everyone, another hopeful from the Boston area. I ranked 180 and figured I wouldn't get in, but it seems like thats not necessarily the case (from reading this forum and a little bit on Reddit). Anyway to check where the list is at and stay updated? I hope boston 4 has as much work as all my buddies in the other trades are saying they're going to have.

Called yesterday, they are in the teens. Anyone get hired?

#99 here called and they said its in the upper teens

I was # 17, I got hired last monday.

How's that whole hiring process?

They're going to be hiring in local 41 out in Springfield and also in Providence in few weeks, I'm debating if I should apply, I rather stay in Boston area, but they aren't too far out.

You'll first take a test that tests basic math, engineering and vocabulary. If you pass your then set for an interview which you are also ranked on (this ranking determines your placement on the list)


A question for others currently ranked, how do we check the list, I've called a number of people in the union hall and haven't had any luck, was also wondering if it was possible to be on two lists in different locations at once.

From what i can understand, you can be on multiple lists. Also call and ask for Dave Morgan. He is the Business agent that will let you know what number they are on.

minor update: recently talked to someone and was told theyre around high 20's on the list and to call back in 6 months. Was also told that during last 2 hiring cycles they hired into the 200's. good luck everyone.

Update; Called today, they are in “mid 50’s”
Assuming they started calling off the list around March 1st, looks like they are averaging 7 a month roughly.

that is bad news (at least for me, 8 new hires a month would be perfect), hopefully things will pick up within the next year. does anyone happen to know how big the list is? I figured Boston would be hiring left and right.

The person I spoke with said the current list is close to 400. They didn’t have any info on how many they called off the previous list unfortunately.

called today (2/1/19), was told the list was at 60. not sure why the freeze in new hires. not so confident in my 180 ranking unless they extend the list to 3 years. good luck everyone in the top 120.

That’s disappointing, looks like they haven’t called off the list since September.
If you haven’t already, checkout Reddit’s r/elevators subreddit forum,a lot of good people on there and a lot of rellavant info. One person was saying they think local 4 IUEC just did another test and recruitment not too long ago which would mess with our rankings if they did. I’m definitely calling the hall tomorrow to find out. The email with our rankings specifically states if they were to do another recruitment we would be notified.

Any New info Number 99 here hoping to get in bye the end of the year didnt expect it to be so slow

On #71 as of 03/21/19

low 80's according to the hall as of 4/17/19

Low 90’s as of 5/14/19

125 range as of 7/11/19

Kinda late to this forum, but any idea on how many people were hired in the previous recruitments?

Hey I’m new to Vatortrader,

I applied to local 4 in november and my test is scheduled for tomorrow 1/16/20. Anyone else test for this local yet during this recruitment?

I applied last go around. I reapplied for this period a while ago but no word yet on a interview date. Not getting my hopes up unless I rank in the top 100

Yea i get it this is my first time applying and don’t want to get ahead of myself either, i haven’t even found out if i passed the exam yet! I just took it last Thursday. but I asked Joe M the guy for the boston region and he said they hired 200 candidates last time around.