Brigade Personnel

Appointments

A panel may be formed on the basis of interviews, from which any offers of employment may be made.

Following appointment, an initial probationary period of 1 year will apply, during which there will be ongoing quarterly reviews of performance and the period may be extended at Kerry County Council’s discretion. The person appointed will cease to be employed at the end of his/her period of probation unless his/her service during that period is satisfactory.

The employment is permanent, part-time, and pensionable and is subject to the terms and conditions of national agreements pertaining to the Retained Fire Service.

It shall be a condition of the offer of employment that the successful candidate shall agree to be bound by the terms and conditions attaching to the position – a full copy of which will be made available with any offer of employment.

Salary

Personnel are paid an annual inclusive allowance as follows:

Year 1

€16,190

Years 2–4

€17,192

Years 5–7

€18,428

Year 8+

€19,555

Increments are payable subject to satisfactory overall performance, attendance, etc.

Annual Leave

Each Fire fighter must avail of 28 days annual leave per calendar year (excluding public holidays) on a pro-rata basis.

The taking of annual leave should be equally divided between Rostered-On and Flexible working weeks.

Availability

Based on an annual 52 weeks, excluding 4 weeks annual leave, Retained Fire fighters will be required to be available and attend alerts 24 weeks in the year on a Rostered-On basis.

Across the other 24 weeks where a Retained Fire fighter is rostered Flexible they can, if they so wish, attend incidents.

Rostered-On

Crew members are required to attend all incidents during periods where they are Rostered-On.

In the event of occasional unavoidable absence of one rostered member for part of his/her week, it is the responsibility of the rostered member to arrange cover for the period of his/her absence with an available (off duty) member.

This agreement has to be notified and agreed with the Station Officer or Sub-Station Officer in advance in order to guarantee that the Station Officer is in a position to ensure that the minimum manning levels for each station are met before any cover arrangement can be approved.

Flexible

Crew members who are rostered Flexible have the option to attend incidents if they so wish, but are not required to do so in the period.

They can also provide cover for Rostered-On crew members by arrangement where pre-notified and agreed by the Station Officer or their alternate.

Retained Fire fighters must normally reside and work in the town where the Brigade is located and in such a proximity to the Fire Station which will allow him/her to respond and attend at incidents in accordance with maximum response times.

The current target mobilisation time is five minutes for emergency fire service response.

It is necessary that appointees be released from their normal employment on the occasions that attendance at incidents demands such release.

Changes of residence or workplace must be notified in writing to the Chief Fire Officer and failure to do so may result in termination of employment as a Retained Fire Fighter.

Any change of residence or place of work that puts the Fire-Fighter at a distance or turnout times more than that permitted by the Chief Fire Officer from the Fire Station or to a location unacceptable to the Chief Fire Officer will result in termination of employment as a Fire Fighter.

The Council may at its discretion, prior to employing any qualified candidate, seek appropriate evidence as to the availability of such person to fulfil the duties of this position.

The Person

Reporting to the Chief Fire Officer, or such other person as may be assigned from time to time by the Chief Executive, each candidate who accepts employment must be prepared to accept any risks involved and to fulfil, to the best of his/her ability his/her duty as a member of this County Fire Service in the saving of life, the fighting of fires and the saving of property.

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

A Fire fighter must maintain a good level of physical fitness and shall partake in the Occupational Health Scheme for Members of the Retained Fire Service.

He/She will be required to undergo a periodic medical assessment(s) by a medical examiner(s) nominated by Kerry County Council in accordance with the Scheme.

Kerry County Council may also at any time require any appointee to undergo such medical assessment(s) by medical examiner(s) as nominated by Kerry County Council as deemed necessary.

Payment of a medical examiner(s) fees will be made by Kerry County Council for the above examinations.

Kerry County Council shall not be responsible for any expense involved in having any medical issues discovered pertaining to a medical examination remedied.

Retention in the employment will depend on satisfactory reports by medical examiner(s) and the general condition above as to health.

The normal retirement age for Retained Fire fighters is 55 years of age.

There is however an option to continue working for a limited period up to 62 years of age, subject to satisfactory medical assessment under the Occupational Health Scheme.

No extension beyond 62 years of age will be granted.

Citizenship

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

a) a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA),

The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

b) a citizen of the United Kingdom (UK), or

c) a citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons, or

d) a non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa, or

e) a person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa, or

f) a non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa

Duties & Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the post of Retained Fire fighter include:

· being available and capable at any time when Rostered-On for attendance at fires or other types of incidents;

· operating within the Rostered-On/Flexible duty roster as outlined and as required by Kerry County Council;

· being responsible for fire fighting or other emergency work as appropriate in an efficient and orderly manner under the direction of the officer-in-charge;

· reporting under the immediate control of the Station Officer of the Brigade to which they are attached;

· inform and seek approval when required of the Station Officer for any intended departure at any time from their Station ground;

· attending regularly the scheduled and any special drills;

· attending such training courses, seminars or special training courses as required;

· carrying out duties on the maintenance of the fire station, appliances and equipment as directed;

· accepting whatever alerter facilities are provided from time to time;

· carrying out such other duties appropriate to the position as assigned.

Format of the Competition

Following the closing date for receipt of completed application forms, Kerry County Council will examine all applications.

Shortlisting may apply depending on the number of applications received.

Any position held on a Panel formed will be subject to both interview and a practical induction assessment.

The practical induction assessment will involve assessment under the following criteria:

Claustrophobia, Heights, Dexterity, Strength, Stamina and basic Literacy and Mathematic skills.

Candidates will be required to pay any expenses incurred in attending the interview and one-day suitability course.

Any final offer of employment will be subject to successful completion of a further six weeks training programme consisting of:

Ø 3 Week Recruit Induction Course – QQI Level 6 Accredited

Ø 2 Week Initial Breathing Apparatus Wearers Course – QQI Level 6 Accredited

Ø 1 Week Compartment Fire Behaviour Training Course – QQI Level 6 Accredited

Failure to attend and successfully pass these courses will result in withdrawal of any provisional offer of employment.

Interview

Candidates invited to attend for interview will be expected to demonstrate:

· Knowledge and understanding of the role of the Fire Service

· Relevant experience

· Relevant training or prior learning

· Supervisory Skills or Potential

· Flexibility or Adaptability

· Interpersonal or Communication Skills

Candidates will be assessed and marked on how they demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience at interview.

General Information

Kerry County Council will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by candidates.

Any offer of employment will be subject to verification of information, medical examination, references and Garda vetting where appropriate.

Provision of inaccurate or misleading information will result in disqualification, withdrawal of offer or dismissal.

Any attempt to canvass or influence the recruitment process will result in automatic disqualification.