Firefighter

Firefighter Role:

·     To save life and preserve endangered life;

·     Protection of property from damage by fire and from firefighting measures;

·     To render humanitarian services;

·     To inform and educate your community to improve awareness of safety.

A Firefighter must be:

·       at least 18 years of age on appointment;

·       physically fit and agile with good stamina;

·       able to work in hazardous conditions for long periods, including at heights and in confined spaces;

·       mechanically adept with good dexterity and co-ordination;

·       trustworthy, honest, dependable and generally of good character (see Garda Clearance);

·       self-reliant and self-assured with a keen sense of discipline;

·       able to contribute to, and work within a team;

·       able to understand and memorise technical information;

·       able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Health and Safety:

Health and Safety forms a key part in the role of every Firefighter.

i. It shall be the duty of every Firefighter while at work:

(a) to take reasonable care for his/her own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions while at work;

(b) to co-operate with his/her employer and any other person to such extent as will enable his/her employer or the other person to comply with any of the relevant statutory provisions;

(c) to use in such manner so as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or other means or thing provided (whether for his/her use alone or for use by him/her in common with others) for securing his/her safety, health or welfare while at work; and

(d) to report to his/her employer or his/her immediate superior, without unreasonable delay, any defects in plant, equipment, place of work or system of work, which might endanger safety, health or welfare, of which he/she becomes aware.

ii. No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse any appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment, or other means or thing 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.

Garda Clearance

The Fire Service is in a position of trust with the public and has a duty to protect them. If you have a record of an offence, this will not necessarily disqualify you as all applications are considered strictly on their merit. However, you are required to declare any offence for which you have been convicted. You are advised to declare any charges that are pending; a subsequent conviction could lead to you being discharged from the Service.

If you fail to disclose information when required to do so, this will render your application void and if you have been employed may result in termination of employment.

A Garda clearance check will be carried out prior to your appointment to the Service.

Should you be charged with an offence between the date of the application or appointment you must notify the Waterford City & County Council in writing, as this may affect your employment in the Fire Service.

Training

Fulltime Firefighters are required to attend and pass an initial recruit training course. To complete this training, each recruit will be required to attend a training centre selected by the Chief Fire Officer. This training may be carried out in a UK training centre and it will be necessary for the recruit to reside at the training centre for the duration of the course.

The main objective of the course is to teach practical Firefighting skills incorporating search and rescue, and the safe use of equipment such as ladders, pumps, breathing apparatus, rescue equipment, etc. Failure to satisfactorily complete the training course will demonstrate a lack of suitability for the position of Fulltime Firefighter and may result in termination of employment.

On completion of the initial training, the recruit Firefighter is required to undertake a recruit induction and development program over a specified period of time designed to equip them with the necessary skills in performing the duties assigned to them by the Chief Fire Officer. This will involve an on going requirement to attend and pass subsequent training and refresher training courses.

Attendance at training is mandatory. This may result in working outside your rostered shift.

Selection

In recruiting or promoting staff, Waterford City & County Council is keen to provide the best possible advice and guidance to ensure everyone has the opportunity to secure employment and reach their potential. We constantly monitor our systems and processes to ensure applicants are respected and receive no less favourable treatment because of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, membership of Travelling Community, religion, disability, or family or civil status. The selection process for Fulltime Firefighter has a number of stages each applicant must successfully complete each stage before being advanced to the next.

1.     Initial Application Form:

(a)    How to apply:

The first step in applying for the position of Fulltime Firefighter is to complete the application form available from our website www.waterfordcouncil.ie. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of Thursday, 28th August, 2025.

The onus is on the applicant to ensure that the application form is fully submitted.

The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend a test and/or interview, is not to be taken as implying that Waterford City & County Council is satisfied that that person fulfils the requirements of the competition or is not disqualified by law from holding the position and does not carry a guarantee that your application will receive further consideration. It is important, therefore, for you to note that the onus is on you to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the competition before applying.

(b)     Closing Date:

Your completed application form must be emailed torecruitment@waterfordcouncil.ie not later than 4p.m. on Thursday, 28th August, 2025. clearly stating the position applied for in the subject line. Hard Copies will not be accepted.

A large amount of correspondence from this campaign may be by e-mail, therefore, a valid e-mail address, which you can access at any time, must be used when applying.

2.       Short-listing

Applicants may be short-listed on the basis of information submitted on the application form.

3.       Testing:

The selection process may require you to attend a Psychometric / Aptitude assessment. These tests are designed to identify your potential to become a firefighter. You must pass all of the tests in order to move on to the next stage of the process. Details of the testing stage will issue to candidates. Details of the test will issue to you via email.

4.       Formal Interview:

Only the top candidates who are successful at the testing stage will be considered for interview. The interview is your opportunity to give evidence of your knowledge, skills and experience and the Fire Service’s opportunity to assess your suitability for the role of firefighter.

5.       Medical Assessment:

Waterford City & County Council has a responsibility to protect the Health & Safety of its staff, and the communities it serves. Firefighters must be fit enough to perform tasks that are both physically and mentally demanding.

If you are successful at interview you will be asked to attend a medical examination with an occupational health doctor and nurse.

Qualifications and Particulars of Employment:

1. Character:

A candidate must be of good character and will be required to submit a certificate of character from two responsible citizens who are not related to him/her.

2. Age:

Candidates shall be over the age of 18 years at the date of appointment. The retirement age for Firefighters allows extension beyond 55 years of age up to the age of 62 having undergone the appropriate medical assessment. Where a full time firefighter is declared not to be medically fit to continue to serve as a firefighter, they shall retire.

3. Health:

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service as a Fulltime Firefighter. Before being accepted for employment, a candidate will be required to pass a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the Fire Authority; and will be liable to undergo further periodical medical examinations during his/her employment with the Fire Service, as directed by Waterford City Council.

4. Educational Standard:

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 Junior Certificate Examination or in an examination of at least equivalent or higher standard.

5. Driving licence:

A candidate must, at the date of application, be the holder of an unendorsed Class ‘B’ Driving Licence. On appointment and after an interval decided by the Chief Fire Officer, Firefighters will be required to obtain a HGV licence to enable them to drive Fire Appliances.

6. Swimming:

It will be a requirement of the position to complete swift water rescue technician training and powerboat operator training. A candidate must be able to demonstrate confidence when working in or near water. The candidate must be a competent swimmer and be able to swim 80m in 5 minutes in a swimming pool.

7. Particulars (including duties):

(i) The Fire Brigade is a uniformed service. Each Firefighter shall be required to wear a uniform in accordance with the Fire Services Dress Code and maintain it and any equipment supplied in good condition at all times. The uniform will be supplied by Waterford City & County Council.

(ii)         A person appointed must reside within a reasonable distance of the Fire Station in Waterford City. He/she will be located at that premises or such other location as may be determined from time to time including any new or other Fire Station or Depot located in the Fire Authority’s area in the future.

(iii)       (a) A successful candidate will be employed by Waterford City & County Council as Full-time Firefighter and shall perform under the direction and control of the Chief Fire Officer or his nominee such duties as are assigned in relation to the employment as Fulltime Firefighter and shall carry out such instructions as are given in relation to such duties at all times.

(b)  The duties of the employment will include such other duties appropriate to the employment assigned from time to time by the Chief Fire Officer, or other Officer deputising for him, or any Officer of the Brigade duly designated for the purpose, including, any work connected with maintenance and keeping in good order of the Fire Station, Appliances and Equipment, and keeping of records and report writing, as required including electronic records.

(iv)       A person appointed will be required to conform to the Disciplinary Code and Duty System operating in the Fire Brigade. In that context he/she must be available for duty at the Fire Station on a Shift system designed to provide continuous cover on a 24 Hour, 7 day week basis throughout the year including days, nights, weekends and Public Holidays. The Shift pattern may be subject to alteration from time to time according to need, or in the interests of efficiency including changing Firefighters between shifts. The tour of duty will average 42 hours per week over a given cycle. The specific shift roster will be specified to the Firefighter by the Chief Fire Officer or his nominee.

(v)        Firefighters will be required to work overtime as determined from time to time and to make themselves available for emergency overtime outside of normal work hours as and when required by the Chief Fire Officer or his nominee. The communication/call out method shall be as determined by the City & County Council.

(vi)       A person appointed will be required to undergo any training or educational programme assigned to him/her, including attendance at courses in Ireland or abroad if necessary; and also to attend at night or day release classes as directed. He/she may also be required to sit for professional examinations. He/she will be required to undergo an Initial Training Course of approximately 12 weeks duration. It is a condition of appointment that he/she complete and successfully pass the Initial Training Course.

(vii)     A person appointed will be required to undertake a course of training in heavy vehicle driving and qualify as a Category C Driver.

(viii)    Firefighters are obliged to comply with the provisions of the Organisation of Working time Act 1997 and associated regulations. Holders of the post shall not engage in any outside occupation or other activities to such an extent as to impair his/her usefulness or energy for his/her official duties nor in any occupation which might conflict in any way with the interests of Waterford City & County Council or which might be inconsistent with his/ her position as an employee of Waterford City & County Council.

(ix)       Firefighters being appointed will be required to comply with the terms and conditions of the City and County Council’s standard detailed Contract of Employment, including all legislative requirements and other arrangements/agreements.

Probation:

Initial appointment will be for a probationary period of twelve months. The person appointed will cease to hold the appointment at the end of the probationary period unless the Chief Fire Officer certifies that he/she has complied with the requirements for appointment and is otherwise satisfactory.

Remuneration, etc:

(i)              Please note starting pay for new entrants to the Fire Service will be at the minimum of the fire fighter scale and rise subject to satisfactory service

€761.56, €858.98, €912.68, €973.14, €1,034.58, €1,054.90, €1,108.02, €1,147.51, €1,192.50

A number of allowances are also payable.

(ii)            The position is whole-time, permanent and pensionable. Successful candidates will be offered the appropriate superannuation terms and conditions as prevailing in the Public Service at the time of being offered an appointment. In general, an appointee who has never worked in the Public Service will be offered appointment based on membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”). Full details of the Scheme are at www.singlepensionscheme.gov.ie

Where the appointee has worked in a pensionable (non-Single Scheme terms) public service job in the 26 weeks prior to appointment or is currently on a career break or special leave with/without pay, different terms may apply. The pension entitlement of such appointees will be established in the context of their public service employment history.

Candidates shall be over the age of 18 years at the date of appointment. The retirement age for Firefighters allows extension beyond 55 years of age up to the age of 62 having undergone the appropriate medical assessment. Where a full time firefighter is declared not to be medically fit to continue to serve as a firefighter, they shall retire.