Retained Fire Fighter

JOB DESCRIPTION

Qualifying Criteria:

·       Persons appointed shall reside and work within a 1.5 mile radius or upon approval by the Chief Fire Officer within a reasonable distance of their fire station to enable them to function effectively. On receipt of a fire or other emergency call they should be in attendance at the station within five minutes.

·       Applicants shall possess adequate literacy and numeric skills to allow them to carry out their duties in a competent and safe manner. Applicants will have to undertake literacy and numeric skills test as part of the selection process.

·       Applicants shall undertake physical tests, including tests for vertigo, claustrophobia, dexterity, endurance and colour blindness as part of the selection process.

·       Applicants who are successful will be required to undertake and successfully pass a medical examination and a Recruit Training Course (3 weeks duration) without delay in advance of any appointment being made.

·       Applicants who are successful shall be prepared to undertake any Fire Service training courses deemed necessary to refresh and/or enhance their capability to carry out their role in a competent and safe manner.

·       Possession of a Class C Driving Licence would be an advantage though not essential for recruitment

Essential Requirements:

Offaly County Council provides a 24-hour 365 day emergency response to the people of Offaly and certain areas of adjoining counties via five fire brigades and a complement of 52 personnel. A Retained Firefighter working within this organisation is an essential part of a disciplined and well structured team which provides an emergency response to the community in which he/she works and resides in (must reside and work within 1.5 miles or within a reasonable distance of the relevant fire station).

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated person, with a strong sense of community commitment and shall demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of:

·       local government services and structure

·       The structure of the Retained Fire Service

·       The operational abilities of Offaly Fire & Rescue Service

·       The demands placed on members of the Retained Fire Service

·       Teamwork & group dynamics

·       Dealing with high risk, stressful and dynamic environments

·       Knowledge of health and safety within the workplace

The ideal candidate shall also have a proven ability in:

·       Dealing effectively with conflicting demands

·       Acting on own initiate

·       Problem solving & decision making

·       Effective communication with work colleagues

·       Effective communication with the public

·       Service to the community, voluntary organisations or other

·       Active engagement with Health, Safety and Welfare within the workplace

·       Working under pressure within a structured environment

·       Adaptability to evolving situations

CAREER AS A FIREFIGHTER IS IT REALLY FOR YOU? We receive enquiries each year from men and women who want to be Firefighters. Our objective is to be fair to all applicants in our recruitment and selection. The following list of questions has been put together to help you decide whether being a Firefighter is really for you. It will help you to prepare yourself for your interview.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

2. Health

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

3. Citizenship

Candidates for any of the above panels 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; or

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.

4. Age

The normal retirement age for retained firefighters is 55 years with the option to continue working to the age 62 years, subject to compulsory medical assessment. Retained firefighters will cease to hold employment sooner if found medically unfit to continue.

5. Education, Training, Experience, etc.

Candidates must have attained a suitable level of education to enable them to undergo successfully, the appropriate training and to perform satisfactorily, the duties of a retained firefighter.

Candidates will be required to undergo a practical fire fighter suitability test in addition to a literacy and numeracy test.

6. Residence/Work Base

The normal place of residence and work base of candidate shall be within a distance from the Fire Station acceptable to the Council. General Guideline: reside and work within a 5 minute radius or upon approval by the Chief Fire Officer within a reasonable distance of their Fire Station to enable them to function effectively.

7. Driving Licence:

The Holder of the Post of shall hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority.

8. Availability

Candidates must supply to the Council, satisfactory written evidence from their employer, that they are available for training, fire and other calls, drills and such other duties as a retained firefighter may be required to perform.

* Non Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.

Particulars of Office

1. The Panel

The post is retained.

In the course of their employment and whenever requested by the Council, retained firefighters must undergo medical examinations and comply at their own expense with such remedial requirements as the Council considers necessary. Employment will not be continued in any case where as a result of such examinations, the medical examiner considers that the firefighter is medically unfit to continue.

2. Inclusive Annual Allowance

Remuneration will consist of an inclusive annual allowance (payable in quarterly instalments in arrears) together with hourly rates of attendance at fires, drills, training, etc., as listed hereunder. Annual allowance is conditional on the firefighter's attendance at a minimum of 85% of the training drills and 75% of incidents in respect of each quarter.

Payments will be made on a quarterly basis in arrears in respect of attendance at fires, drills and special duties. Payment at drill rate will be made in respect of training courses. All payments will be subject to deduction of statutory contributions to PAYE, PRSI, etc.

An annual clothing allowance as per schedule of rates will be payable to each retained firefighter who attends at least 85% of all training drills in respect of each quarter.

Retained Fire Service Personnel Inclusive Annual Allowance (as at 1st August 2025):-

Retainer (Annual Amounts)

01/08/2025

Retained Fire Fighter

On recruitment €16,190

2-4 Years €17,192

5-7 Years €18,428

8+ €19,555

3. Duties, Drills & Further Training

The retained firefighter shall attend and participate in drills and shall undergo from time to time, courses and further training (including a Breathing Apparatus course, minimum two weeks) deemed appropriate by the Chief Fire Officer or his/her deputy. The location of the training and the frequency of the drills shall be as decided by the Council at its absolute discretion.

The level of training to be successfully undertaken by the retained firefighter shall be such as to enable him/her to carry out competently and effectively the various operations required in Offaly Fire Service, including the operation of communications systems, driving appliances and vehicles and the operation of pumps, lifts, escapes, rescue and emergency equipment, hydrant testing, etc., and such other matters and requirements as may arise from time to time.

The person appointed shall carry out such duties relating to Offaly Fire Service as may be assigned to him/her by the Chief Fire Officer, or a Senior Fire Officer deputising for him/her, as follows:-

·       Attend at fires and other emergencies, drills, displays, etc., at such times and for such periods as required by Offaly Fire Service;

·       Operate in accordance with such rostering arrangements as exist, or as may be arranged by the Council from time to time;

·       Attend formal training courses organised by, or on behalf of Offaly County Council. Consent for release for duties should be submitted from employer;

·       Comply with such grievance/disciplinary procedure as may be in force from time to time;

·       Perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Chief Fire Officer, or by a Senior Fire Officer deputising for him/her, on behalf of the Council.

·       Notwithstanding such other disciplinary action which the Council may apply, failure to attend or participate in 85% of the drills in any quarter of a year shall have the result that the retained firefighter shall forfeit his/her right to payment of the retaining fee for that quarter. Subsequent failure to attend 85% of drills in a quarter of a year, without good cause, shall result in termination of employment at the absolute discretion of the Council. The level of training to be successfully undertaken by a retained firefighter shall be such as to enable him/her to carry out competently and effectively the various operations required in the fire service including the operation of communications systems, driving appliances and vehicles and the operation of pumps, lifts, escapes, rescue and emergency equipment, hydrant testing, etc., and such other matters and requirements as may arise from time to time.

4.Residence/Work Base

The residence and normal place of work of each retained firefighter shall be within a distance from the fire station acceptable to the Council.

Satisfactory written evidence from employer must be submitted to the Council agreeing to the availability of the Retained Fire Fighter for training, fire and other calls, drills and such other duties as a retained firefighter may be required to perform.

·       Change of residence or workplace shall be notified in writing to the Chief Fire Officer, Offaly Fire Service and the Senior Executive Officer, Human Resources, Offaly County Council. Satisfactory written evidence from any new employer must be submitted agreeing to release for training, fire and other calls, drills and such other duties as a retained firefighter may be required to perform.

5. Work Base & Location of Fire Brigade

The normal place of work of each retained firefighter shall be within a distance from the fire station, acceptable to the Council.

A retained firefighter shall report for duty to the fire station in its present location or in the event of change of location, to such new location that may be decided by the Council. Changes in the location of a fire station will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

6. Probation & Training

There shall be a period of one year during which the retained firefighter shall be on probation. The period may be extended at the absolute discretion of the Council. The employment of the retained firefighter shall cease at the end of the period of probation, unless the Council is satisfied that the service of such person in that employment has been satisfactory in all respects. The terms of Offaly County Council’s Probation Policy will apply.

A retained firefighter will be required to undertake a Recruit Training course (3 weeks duration) without delay in advance of any appointment being made. Your employment with Offaly Fire and Rescue Service is dependent on you passing your medical assessment and then successfully completing this recruit course. Subsequently you will be required to undertake a Breathing Apparatus Wearers course following appointment or any other course that the Council may consider necessary. Failure to successfully complete the Breathing Apparatus Wearers course will result in termination of employment.

7. Single Public Service Pension Scheme:

The Single Public Service Pensions Scheme, as provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 is compulsory for all Retained Fire service personnel who are deemed to be new entrants for the purpose of the Single Scheme and who commence employment on or after 1 January 2013.

Any Retained Fire-fighter who is a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will not be eligible to avail of the gratuity arrangements for Retained Fire-fighters at retirement as Retained Fire-fighters are only entitled to be considered for this gratuity if they are not members of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme.

The Single Scheme is not service-based, but rather based on pensionable earnings in each year. Pensionable remuneration will be based on actual pay earned, excluding overtime and non-pensionable emoluments (if any). The accrual rates to apply to the resulting amounts will be the standard rates as set out in the Single Scheme legislation. The superannuation contribution rates will also be the standard rates:

·       Contribution rates of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (weekly amount earned less twice the weekly rate of State Pension (Contributory) – prorated in line with full time where the number of hours pay for the week amounts to less than 39 hours.

All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Childrens Contributory Pension) Scheme, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

8. Retirement Age

The normal retirement age for retained firefighters is 55 years with the option to continue working to the age 62 years, subject to compulsory medical assessment. Retained firefighters will cease to hold employment sooner if found medically unfit to continue.

9. Taking Up Appointment

Offaly County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of four weeks and if he/she fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint him/her.

10. Recruitment

A local authority may decide, by reason of the number of persons seeking admission to the competition, to carry out a shortlisting procedure. The number of persons to be invited, in these circumstances, to interview shall be determined by the local authority from time to time, having regard to the likely number of vacancies to be filled.

Candidates will be required to undergo a practical fire fighter suitability test in addition to a literacy and numeracy test. Only successful participants in these tests will be permitted to proceed further in the competition and recruitment process. Selection will be by means of an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. Candidates will be required to pay any expenses incurred by them in attending the said interview and test.

Panels may be formed on the basis of such interviews. Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualification declared for the post and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the panel, be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Recruit Training course (3 weeks duration) without delay in advance of any appointment being made. Your employment with Offaly Fire and Rescue Service is dependent on you passing your medical assessment and then successfully completing this recruit course. Subsequently you will be required to undertake a Breathing Apparatus Wearers course following appointment or any other course that the Council may consider necessary. Failure to successfully complete the Breathing Apparatus Wearers course will result in termination of employment.

11. Driving Licence

Possession of a Class C Driving Licence would be an advantage though not essential for recruitment. You shall however hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles and obtain Category C within eighteen months from the date of appointment or sooner if required and be prepared to drive such vehicles as the Council may require in the performance of your duties.

12. Health

For the purposes of satisfying the requirements as to health, candidates must undergo such medical examinations (which may include x-ray, physical fitness test and/or other special tests) as the Council considers necessary. The medical examiner(s) will be nominated by the Council. Candidates must comply, at their own expense with such remedial requirements as the Council considers necessary.

In the course of their employment and whenever requested by the Council, retained firefighters must undergo medical examinations of the kind referred to above and comply at their own expense with such remedial requirements as the Council considers necessary. Employment will not be continued in any case where as a result of such examinations, the medical examiner considers that the retained firefighter is medically unfit to continue.

Candidates shall be required to submit details of their medical history to the Council's medical advisor. The information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Retained firefighters have an obligation to inform the employer of any significant changes in their medical profile which could present an unacceptable risk.