Retained Fire Fighter

PARTICULARS OF SERVICE

The Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates with relevant experience for the position of Part-Time Retained Firefighters. It is proposed to form a panel of qualified candidates from which vacancies will be filled during the lifetime of the panel.

QUALIFICATIONS

CHARACTER: Each applicant must be of good character

EDUCATION: Each candidate must have obtained a good standard in general education.

AGE: Each applicant must not be less than 18 years on the closing date for receipt of application forms. Candidates should not be more than 55 years of age on the latest date for receipt of applications.

HEALTH: Each applicant must be free from any defect or disease which would render him/her unsuitable to hold the post and must be physically fit. Before being accepted, he/she will be required to pass a medical examination and any further medical examinations required during his/her employment with the Fire Service.

LOCATION: Candidates must reside and work a maximum of 5 minutes of the fire station in which they would like to be stationed.

Wicklow County Council is recruiting for the following Fire Brigade:

• Blessington Brigade

Each applicant must submit with their application form, a letter from their employer which states that he/she had no objection to releasing the applicant as necessary to respond to fire calls. The employment is part-time. The initial employment will be for a probationary period of one year. Normal age of retirement for retained fire-fighters is 55 years of age, however in accordance with Circular 04/2024 this may be extended up to 62 years of age, subject to approval and successful occupational health assessments.

The appointment is subject to Garda Vetting. If progressing with appointment, successful candidates will be required to:

Attend and successfully complete a Suitability Test

Attend and successfully complete a three week Recruit Training Course; and thereafter

Attend a two-week Breathing Apparatus Wearers Course; and

Attend a one-week Compartment Fire Behaviour Course (usually within the first year of employment).

Scheduled dates will be confirmed.

RECRUITMENT

Please note this competition will be on a rolling recruitment process, interviews will be scheduled on a phase basis. Applications are welcome throughout the year. Selection shall be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority. Panels may be formed on the basis of such interviews. Wicklow County Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most appropriate. Shortlisting may be on the basis of information supplied on the application form and the likely number of vacancies to be filled. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications/experience on the application form.

The candidates shortlisted will be invited to attend for interview. The Council will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by candidates in attending for interview. Candidates at interview will be marked under the following criteria:

• Relevant Experience

• Team Work

• Communications & Interpersonal Skills

• Availability & Adaptability

Candidates whose names are on a Panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the office and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the Panel, be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise. The life of the Panel will be for one year from the date it is formed, unless otherwise directed by the Chief Executive.

For the purposes of satisfying the requirements as to health it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.

Employment may be terminated by either side by giving at least one calendar months’ notice. In the event that employment is terminated prior to the completion of any particular contract, the appointee shall co-operate with the Council in ensuring that all files/records are up-to-date and present in an acceptable manner. Wicklow County Council will require the person to whom appointment is offered to take up the appointment within a period of not more than one month and if the person fails to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as Wicklow County Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Wicklow County Council will not appoint him/her.

It should be noted that the terms of Paragraph 13 of Circular Letter EL 02/09 - Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement may need to be considered in some instances. It is a condition of this scheme as set out in the Department of Finance Circular 12/2009 that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Furthermore, persons who have availed of a Redundancy Payment Scheme should note that is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the public service by any public service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011) for a period of 2 years from termination of the employment. Thereafter the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will be required prior to re-employment. Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of either of the above schemes.

DUTIES

He/She shall be available and capable at all times when required for attendance at fires or other type incidents.

He/She shall operate any duty rostering or availability scheme required by the Local Authority where rostering is in place.

Response time to Fire Calls shall generally be 5 minutes after the call is received.

He/She will carry one of the Fire Brigade Pocket Alerters at all times and will be responsible to see that it is kept in proper working order at all times.

He/She must reside and work sufficiently close to the Fire Station, to enable him/her to respond promptly to all calls. If at any time his/her availability is affected by change of work or any other reason, he/she will be required to resign.

He/She will be responsible for items of personal equipment issued to him/her in connection with his/her employment.

He/She will carry out all instructions issued to him/her in connection with his/her employment.

He/She will attend weekly training sessions at the local fire station, or any other training or courses, as required by the Fire Authority during their employment with the Fire Service.

When required, he/she will assist or carry out the cleaning, testing or repair of equipment.

He/She shall carry out further duties that may be assigned to him/her from time to time by the Local Authority.

He/She will inform his/her employer that he/she is applying for the post.

Each member of the fire Brigade will be required to undergo regular medical examinations, as required by the Fire Authority. The medical examination will be carried out by a Doctor nominated by the Fire Authority, who will be responsible for the payment of their fee.

Absence from practices or fire calls without good reason will debar payment or retaining fee and continued absence over a six month period will incur dismissal from the Brigade.

Annual Retainer:

On recruitment €16,190

2-4 Years €17,192

5-7 Years €18,428

8+ €19,555