Retained Firefighter

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Character

Each candidate must be of good character and the successful applicant may be subject to Garda Vetting prior to any appointment being confirmed.

2. Age

Each candidate must be at least 18 years of age on 1st September, 2026. Retirement age for Retained Fire-fighters is 55 years of age (up to 62 years of age subject to conditions).

3. Health

Each candidate must be free from any defects which would render that person unsuitable to perform the duties of the post and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

For the purpose of satisfying this requirement, it will be necessary to undergo, at the candidate’s own expense, an initial medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by Cork County Council. Note the requirement to complete and pass the Chester Step Test detailed below.

On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate. Retained Fire-fighters will be required to undergo regular and ad-hoc medical examinations at any time.

Given the strenuous nature of fire-fighting duties, the medical examination will be of a very thorough nature.

Please note that the following disabilities will render an applicant unsuitable for firefighting duties and will lead to disqualification at the examination:

History of epilepsy.

Alcohol or drug dependency.

Obesity.

Chronic bronchitis, asthma, or other disabling disease of the lungs.

Organic disease of the cardiovascular system.

Diabetes mellitus.

Unaided vision less than 6/12 in either eye.

Inability to hear a forced whisper or conversational voice separately in either ear at 20 feet.

Evidence of labyrinthine disturbance.

A history of vertigo or an illness which would affect sense of balance.

History of mental instability.

Please note that it is recommended that Retained Fire-fighters be vaccinated against the Hepatitis B Virus and, in this connection, the vaccine will be made available free of charge to successful candidates.

Fitness Test

Part of the pre-employment medical examination includes completing the fitness test. Candidates successful at interview must successfully complete the fitness test prior to employment being offered.

The fitness test at the recruit medical is the Chester Step Test. The Chester Step Test measures aerobic capacity and fitness and entails a moderately vigorous level of physical activity. The level of fitness needed to pass this test requires regular exercise, and the test pass level is difficult to achieve if the candidate does not already have a good level of physical fitness prior to the test.

Medical examiners advise that the fitness needed for this test does not come overnight; realistically, it takes at least a few weeks, and often longer, to appreciably improve your fitness level.

Candidates who fail the initial Chester Step Test will be offered one further fitness test only. This may be a Chester Step Test or a Shuttle Run Test, as determined by Cork County Council. No further retests will be offered.

4. Residence/Availability

Only applications from competent persons who reside and work within 2 miles of the fire station of the relevant unit, and whose ordinary activity does not take them away from the town in which a brigade is located, will be considered.

On receipt of a fire or other emergency call, you should be in attendance at the station within five minutes.

Unemployed persons are not precluded from applying, provided that they satisfy the residence and availability requirements.

5. Licence

Each applicant must hold a full current Category "B" European Community Model Driving Licence free from endorsement.

6. Garda Vetting

Candidates successful at interview will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, which will be directly arranged by Cork County Council.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT

The employment is part-time. Panels may be used to fill permanent and temporary vacancies.

New entrant retained fire fighters who commence on or after 1 January 2013 will be members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (SPSPS), as established by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

The Single Scheme does not provide for a Retained Fire-fighters Gratuity.

New entrants will pay superannuation contributions each quarter, with SPSPS pension lump sum and pension payable on retirement, subject to certain conditions.

Retained Fire-fighters must retire (on their birthday) upon reaching the age limit for the employment (currently 55 years of age and up to 62 years of age subject to conditions).

A successful candidate will only be offered employment on a probationary basis as a Retained Fire-fighter, subject to satisfactory completion of the following courses:

(a) Firefighting Skills Course

This course is a full-time, three-week course held in Ireland and will involve staying away from home on a Monday to Friday basis for the three weeks.

(b) Breathing Apparatus Course

This course is full-time, two weeks in duration, and is held outside the county.

(c) Compartment Fire Behaviour Training Course

This course is one week in duration and is normally held outside the county.

(d) Occupational First Aid Course

This course is full-time, normally three days in duration, and is held within the county.

(e) Class C HGV Driving Licence

N.B. The above does not preclude the Council from offering temporary employment, but failure to complete any of the above courses satisfactorily will result in termination of employment.

Subject to compliance with the conditions of Item 4 above, the employment is subject to a probationary period of one year and will be terminable by giving one week's notice by either side during that period.

After the employment has been confirmed, it will be terminable at any stage by giving the required notice under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973, or without notice in circumstances justifying immediate dismissal.

Please note that, due to the requirement for firefighters to wear breathing apparatus, all facial hair below the line of the upper lip must be removed (i.e. beards, etc.).

Retained Fire-fighters must be prepared to attend other courses which may be held in Ireland or the UK.

8. Availability

Based on an annual 52 weeks, excluding four weeks annual leave, Retained Firefighters will be required to be available and attend alerts for 24 weeks in the year on a week-on/week-off basis.

Across the 24 weeks where a Retained Firefighter is rostered off, they can, if they so wish, attend incidents.

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 absence with an available (off-duty) member.

This agreement must be notified to and approved in advance by the Station Officer or Sub-Station Officer.

This is to guarantee that the Station Officer is in a position to ensure that the minimum staffing levels for each station are met before any cover arrangement can be approved.

Retained Firefighters must normally reside and work in the town where the Brigade is located and in such proximity to the Fire Station as will allow him/her to respond within the turnout time set by the Chief Fire Officer (currently a target of five minutes for the first appliance to leave the station).

It is necessary that he/she be released from normal employment on occasions when attendance at incidents demands such release.

Changes of residence or workplace must be notified in writing to the Chief Fire Officer.

Failure to do so may result in termination of employment as a Firefighter.

Any change of residence or workplace that places the Firefighter beyond the permitted distance or turnout time set by the Chief Fire Officer, or to a location deemed unacceptable by the Chief Fire Officer, will result in termination of employment.

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

9. Annual Leave

Four weeks annual leave per annum is provided in addition to the annual payment of the retainer.

Payment for annual leave is confirmed as 8% of earnings.

These earnings are calculated on the basis of the previous year's earnings, excluding:

• Retainer.
• Clothing allowance.
• Previous year's annual leave payment.
• Previous year's public holiday leave payment.

The payment for annual leave will be made when employees take annual leave as part of the fortnightly pay cycle.

10. Rules and Regulations

Members of brigades shall be subject to such rules and regulations as may be issued from time to time.

It should be particularly noted that Retained Fire-fighters must, in matters of drills, attendance at fires, or other emergencies, comply strictly with the orders and discretion of the Station Officer or, in his/her absence, such other Brigade Member as may be in charge.

Any Retained Fire-fighter guilty of infringement of this regulation will be dismissed.

Generally, members of all brigades will be under the general control and supervision of the Chief Fire Officer, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Senior Executive Fire Officer, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Assistant Fire Officer, or other appropriate officer, as the case may be.

While on duty, Retained Fire-fighters shall use the clothing and personal equipment provided by the Council, and these shall be left in the station immediately after the cessation of duty.

Retained Fire-fighters may not use such clothing and equipment except while on duty.

Retained Fire-fighters must comply fully with safety policies and directives in force from time to time.

11. Rostering

Rostering of Retained Fire-fighters will take place at the Council's discretion.

12. Rate of Pay

€16,852 – €20,251 per year

13. Attendance at Incidents

An annual review will be undertaken in December each year to identify stations with low incident mobilisation.

Where such levels fall below 75 hours in a calendar year, an adjustment payment will be made to each firefighter to provide for a minimum annual payment of 75 hours.

This payment will be calculated on a pro rata basis for any new entrants during the calendar year.

14. Attendance at Drills

Drills take place on station three times a month at regular intervals (36 drills annually) and are two and a half hours in duration.

There is an obligation on firefighters to attend 85% of drills annually.

The retaining fee will not normally be paid to any member who has failed to attend at least 85% of drills during the quarter, the decision on which, if appropriate, is at the discretion of the Chief Fire Officer.

N.B. The Council reserves the right to alter the frequency and duration of drills at its discretion.