Firefighter

Cork City Fire Brigade responds to all emergency calls from the public for assistance, primarily to protect life and save injury to individuals, but also to prevent and restrict damage to property. Many emergency calls, however, are not to fires, but to incidents where members of the community are trapped in vehicles following road traffic accidents, trapped in machinery, or trapped in less life-threatening circumstances, as well as being called to deal with chemical spillages, river incidents and toxic emissions.

The job will be demanding both physically and mentally. Initially all new recruits will be posted to an operational watch at a Fire Station and for the first year will be on probation. All new recruits will be expected to absorb a wide range of information and be able to demonstrate their technical and practical skills through a series of assessments and examinations.

Fully qualified Fulltime Firefighters are skilled technicians capable of using the most modern equipment, methods, and techniques to undertake the full range of duties involved in firefighting, rescue, road accidents, toxic and dangerous chemical spills, river incidents and other emergencies.

The role of the Fulltime Firefighter is very varied. The following details the main responsibilities:

1. Promoting Community Fire Safety

• Be proactive in the community to identify risk, to reduce fire deaths and injuries and to protect the environment.

• Deliver appropriate fire safety messages to those groups most at risk.

• Educate and inform the community in fire safety.

2. Resolving Emergencies (Fire & Rescue)

• Respond to requests for assistance in the areas of fire rescue, road traffic accidents, chemical incidents, river rescue, flooding, medical emergencies, etc.

• Deal with emergencies as directed.

3. Developing Local Awareness

• Get to know the local community area, including streets, roads and buildings.

• Be aware of the risks and possible hazards to be found within your fire station area.

• Identify fire risks during fire visits to local premises and be able to offer relevant advice and guidance.

4. Promoting Health & Safety

• Recognise health and safety risks at work and deal with them appropriately.

• Ensure your own and others personal safety at work at all times.

• Comply with all relevant laws and protect their own safety and health, as well as the safety and health of anyone who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

• Ensure that they are not under the influence of any intoxicant to the extent that they could be a danger to themselves or others while at work.

• Cooperate with their employer with regard to safety, health and welfare at work.

• Participate in safety and health training offered by their employer.

• Make proper use of all machinery, tools, substances, etc., and of all personal protective equipment provided for use at work.

• Report any defects in their workplace or equipment, etc., which might endanger safety and health.

• No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse any appliance, protective clothing, conveyance, equipment, or anything provided in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions or otherwise, for securing the safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work activities.

5. Continued Personal Development

• Meet Level 2 standards of the Institute of Fire Engineers during Probationary period.

• Take responsibility for developing your own skills.

• Mandatory participation in a training and development programmes.

• Be prepared to attend continuous professional development opportunities.

• Required to maintain a level of physical fitness necessary to carry out duties.

• Support the development of colleagues.

• Will be required to achieve the recognised pre-hospital medical care standard for Cork City Fire Brigade.

6. Managing Resources and Information

• Take responsibility for ensuring operational equipment is ready for use.

• Access and record information using information technology.

• Undertake paperwork, such as recording routine tests on pieces of equipment and provide written reports when requested and as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POST

1. Character:

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Age:

Candidates shall be at least 18 years of age on or before Monday 11th May 2026.

3. Education:

a) Each candidate must have obtained at least Grade D (or a pass) in five subjects, including Mathematics and English, from the approved list of subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Cycle Examination or in an examination of at least equivalent standard.

Please ensure that if you received your education qualifications outside of Ireland that you have the level of your qualifications confirmed by NARIC Ireland (link) and submit such confirmation with your original qualifications when required to do so.

b) In selection of candidates, additional marks may be awarded to those who have any of the following:

i. a higher educational qualification than that prescribed in paragraph 3(a) e.g., Leaving Certificate.

ii. experience of driving heavy goods vehicles.

iii. technical or trades training.

4. Driving Licence:

Successful candidates will be required to drive emergency vehicles and will be required to hold as follows:

a) on the latest date for receipt of applications i.e. 11th May 2026 candidates must hold a full clean driving licence (Class B), free from convictions and medical limitations that do not permit them or prevent them driving. Should you be disqualified from driving during the recruitment competition you will be disqualified from the process.

b) During their probationary period candidates must have obtained a category C licence. While assistance may be provided by Cork City Fire Brigade, the responsibility for obtaining the Category C licence will be solely that of the candidate. Cork City Fire Brigade will provide the necessary training to drive emergency vehicles.

5. Swimming Ability:

Candidates must be competent swimmers and capable of swimming 80 metres continuously within 5 minutes. This requirement may be assessed at any stage during the recruitment competition and/or during recruit training.

6. Residence:

Following successful completion of recruit training and the probationary period, appointees will be required to reside within one hour’s travel time of Cork City Fire Brigade Headquarters, Anglesea Street, Cork. Cork City Council reserves the right to seek written evidence of compliance with this requirement.

7. Physical Fitness & Medical Assessment:

Candidates selected for interview must undergo a full medical examination and Candidate Physical Fitness Assessment (CPFA) administered by Cork City Council’s Occupational Health provider.

Assessments may include:

• Cardiovascular fitness tests

• Strength and stamina assessments

• Mobility and functional capacity evaluation

• Medical screening for role-specific health requirements

• Mandatory drug testing

Candidates must achieve the required fitness standard to continue in the competition.

8. Operational Skills Test:

a) Ladder Climb

b) Casualty Evacuation

c) Ladder Lift / Lower Simulation

d) Enclosed Spaces

e) Equipment Assembly

f) Equipment Carry

a) Ladder Climb

Working safely at height is an essential component of the firefighter role. Candidates will receive basic instruction on ladder-climbing techniques, including the use of a leg-lock to maintain secure positioning while working hands-free.

A 13.5-metre ladder will be positioned against a building. Following the instructional briefing, candidates may undertake one practice ascent before the assessed climb. During assessment, candidates must ascend the ladder, demonstrate a secure leg-lock.

Performance will be assessed on safe ladder operation, ability to work at height, and correct application of the techniques demonstrated during the briefing.

b) Casualty Evacuation

This test evaluates upper and lower body strength. Wearing full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), candidates must safely drag a 55kg casualty dummy backwards around a 30-metre course under the guidance of an assessor. The task must be completed using safe handling techniques and within the required time.

c) Ladder Lift / Lower Simulation

This assessment measures whole-body strength and controlled lifting ability while wearing full PPE. Candidates must lift a bar from a height of 75cm to 182cm, and then return it to the starting height. The bar begins at 5kg, with weight added up to a maximum of 15kg. Candidates will be assessed on safe technique, stability and strength throughout the movement.

d) Enclosed Space

This test measures candidates’ ability to work in confined spaces while wearing breathing apparatus (approx. 18kg). After receiving basic instruction, candidates will enter a crawling gallery containing narrow tunnels of varying height and width, with limited or no visibility. Candidates must navigate the route, locate a simulated casualty, and safely remove it to the entry point. Prior to entering, candidates will be shown a selection of everyday items and asked to recall them after completing the task. Assessment will consider agility, spatial awareness, ability to operate under restricted conditions, task completion time, and recall accuracy.

e) Equipment Assembly

This test evaluates manual dexterity and the ability to follow instructions accurately. Candidates will be required to assemble and disassemble a piece of equipment using the diagrams provided. Assessment focuses on accuracy, methodical working, and correct handling of components.

f) Equipment Carry

This test measures aerobic fitness, strength, and stamina. Candidates will be required to complete the following tasks:

• Drag a hose reel for 25 metres, then jog back 25 metres.

• Carry two coiled 70mm hoses for 100 metres.

• Carry one coiled 70mm hose at chest height for 25 metres, then jog back 75 metres.

• Carry a 2.4-metre suction hose and basket strainer for 100 metres, then jog back 100 metres.

• Carry a simulated Light Portable Pump (approx. 30kg) for 100 metres.

Candidates must complete each element safely and within the specified time limits.

Salary

The weekly salary scale for the position of Fulltime Firefighter Cork City Fire Brigade, Cork City Council is:

€730.82 - €772.61 - €870.03 - €923.73 - €984.34 - €1,046.47 - €1,067.04 - €1,120.70 (Max) - €1,160.60 (LSI 1 after 5yrs) - €1,206.02 (LSI 2 after 6yrs)

Please note starting pay for new entrants to the Fire Service will be at the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy. In addition to the basic wage, payments are made in respect of night and weekend duties, Sunday, and Public Holiday premiums as applicable.

Hours of Attendance

Cork City Fire Brigade operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Fulltime Firefighters work on a 9 / 15 hour shift system. A 24 hour shift system currently operates at weekends. The duty system may be subject to change. The holder of the post shall be required to work irregular hours including weekends, bank and public holidays and undertake such overtime as considered necessary from time to time. Annual leave is rostered for all Fulltime Firefighters by Cork City Fire Brigade.

Fulltime Firefighters will make themselves available for emergency duties outside of working hours where required.