Retained Firefighter

JOB REQUIREMENTS Minimum Eligibility Requirements QUALIFICATIONS: CHARACTER: A Firefighter must be of good character and shall not at any time bring the County Council into disrepute. Employment will be subject to the provision of satisfactory references and Garda Vetting.

AGE: A Firefighter must be not less than 18 years on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving application forms occurs. A birth certificate must be submitted to the County Council as proof of age before a person is engaged as a recruit.

EDUCATION: Firefighters must have attained a satisfactory level of education to enable them to perform satisfactorily as a Firefighter and to successfully undergo the appropriate training.

HEALTH: A Firefighter shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Each applicant must be free from any defect or disease which would render him/her unsuitable to hold the office. An operational Firefighter is required to maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness. DRIVERS LICENCE: A recruit Firefighter shall possess a valid full current Category B Driving Licence at the time of applying for the post and ideally a Category C Driving Licence for HGV with up to eight passengers. All newly appointed Retained Firefighters will be required to attain a Category C Driving Licence. Firefighters will co-operate with further Driver Training and will be required to drive fire service vehicles, if operationally needed. Failure to attain a Category C licence, within the probationary year, may result in termination of employment. If a Firefighter has their licence suspended or removed for any reason, they must immediately inform the County Council, and it shall be dealt with through the Council’s disciplinary procedure and may result in termination of service at the absolute discretion of the County Council.

GARDA VETTING: The successful candidate will be subject to the Garda Vetting Procedures in line with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 as appropriate (or any subsequent amendments to the legislation mentioned) in advance of appointment and on a periodic basis thereafter for the duration of their employment.

RESIDENCE: Persons appointed must live and work within a maximum of 8 minutes travel time from the designated Fire Station (based on GPS navigation planner e.g. Google maps or similar as determined by Kilkenny County Council) to allow them to respond for the duration of their employment as a Firefighter. The Council retains the right to request further evidence, if required on the information supplied, for the purpose of verification of place of residence and location of employment. A Firefighter shall notify the County Council in writing of any subsequent changes of residence or place of employment. A change of residence or place of employment that would place the Firefighter outside these limits will mean automatic termination of employment. The Council will check this prior to appointment and at periodic intervals after appointment.

OTHER EMPLOYMENT: Written evidence must be provided from the employer as to availability prior to appointment, and the County Council in its sole discretion, shall decide as to whether the availability as so provided is acceptable. If the Firefighter's primary employer subsequently changes their conditions of employment and does not allow the Firefighter to attend fire calls / drills during working hours, employment will be terminated. Self-employed must also provide written evidence as to availability prior to appointment. Such written evidence must cover a candidate's availability for initial training and for fire and other calls, drills, training and such other duties which the Firefighter may be required by the County Council to perform JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DUTIES OF THE ROLE SHALL INCLUDE: i. A Firefighter shall be required to attend at fires and other emergencies, drills, displays and other duties at such times and for such periods as required by the County Council. Failure to respond promptly to fire or other emergency calls will be addressed through the Local Authority’s disciplinary procedure. Firefighters shall be available and capable at all times when required for attendance at fires or other incident types. ii. Each Firefighter who attends for Fire Brigade service must be prepared to accept the work entailed and to fulfil to the best of their ability their duty as a Firefighter in the saving of life, saving of property and the fighting of fires or other such emergencies. iii. Every Firefighter must comply with Kilkenny County Council’s Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters. Firefighters who are on standby during fires or other incidents shall remain at the Station and perform such duties as may be assigned by the Station Officer from time to time during the callout. iv. When required a firefighter will substitute for any other firefighter absent through sickness, annual leave or any other reason. v. Firefighters shall ensure that the Fire Station is kept clean & tidy at all times. Firefighting equipment shall be kept clean, inspected, tested and maintained properly and stowed away in a safe manner. vi. Firefighters are required to adhere to and co-operate with all National and Local Agreements pertaining to the Fire Services. vii. Firefighters will be required to attend Training Courses as directed. viii. Firefighters must undertake driving duties as required. ix. Comply with all organisational policies, procedures and legislation.

x. Firefighters shall be responsible for items of personal equipment issued to him/her in connection with his/her employment. xi. Each Firefighter shall carry a Fire Brigade pocket alerter at all times and it shall be his/her responsibility to ensure that it is kept in proper working order. xii. Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time PARTICULARS OF OFFICE TYPE OF POST To form a panel from which relevant vacancies may be filled. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Employment: The employment is part-time and pensionable. The initial employment will be for a probationary period of one year (and may be extended if required).

Retirement: A firefighter shall retire— I. upon attaining age of 55 years, or II. where the firefighter wishes to serve beyond that age and the fire authority who employs him or her is satisfied that he or she is medically fit to continue to serve as a firefighter upon attaining that age but not beyond attaining the age of 62 years. A retained firefighter shall retire upon attaining the age of 55 years (minimum retirement age). Where they wish to serve beyond that age, and the employing fire authority is satisfied that the retained firefighter is declared medically fit to do so, having undergone the appropriate annual medical assessment, the retained firefighter may continue to serve upon attaining age 55, but not beyond attaining the age of 62 years (62nd birthday). Where a retained firefighter is declared not to be medically fit to continue to serve as a firefighter, they shall retire. Retained firefighters are therefore required to make an application for an extension to be made to their existing contract of employment, six months in advance of their next birthday, in each year an extension sought. Any significant change in a firefighter’s medical condition during the extended period must be notified to the employer.

Health: A Firefighter shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Medical Examination, etc.: Before recruitment, in order to ascertain the health of a candidate, successful applicants shall undergo such medical examinations (which may include x-ray and/or other special tests) as the County Council considers necessary. The County Council will nominate the medical examiners. The candidate must comply, at their own expense, with such remedial requirements as the County Council consider necessary. An Operational Firefighter shall: - a. Agree to participate in the Occupational Health Scheme for Retained Firefighters in operation by Kilkenny County Council; and b) At any time, if requested by the County Council, undergo such medical examination(s) by medical examiner (s) as nominated by the County Council; and c) Attend medical examinations in accordance with the frequency set down in the Occupational Health Scheme for Retained Firefighters as issued by the (LGMA) to Local Authorities Any defects discovered pertaining to a medical examination will not be remedied at the County Council's expense. Retention as an operational Firefighter will depend upon receipt of satisfactory reports by medical examiner(s) and to the general condition above as to health. On reaching 55 years of age or sooner, if found to be medically unfit, a Firefighter shall cease to be a Firefighter. An operational Firefighter is required to maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness.

Probation: Before appointment as a Firefighter, a recruit shall attend and successfully complete the three-week Firefighter Skills Training Course. Recruit Firefighters will be required to undergo and successfully complete the following recruit training programmes during their probationary period: - a) A three-week Recruit Firefighting Skills Course (including manual handling); b) A two-week Breathing Apparatus Initial Wearers' Course; c) Attain an HGV “C” Driving Licence; d) A one-week Breathing Apparatus Compartment Fire Behaviour Course; and e) Any other course that the County Council may consider necessary. Training Fees will be paid at the current hourly rate for Firefighters during training.

This hourly rate is currently €25.27. Failure to successfully complete all of the above courses will result in the termination of the Firefighter’s employment as the recruit firefighter has failed in achieving the appropriate competency to undertake the role. Some or all of the above courses will be held at a training facility, which may or may not be situated locally. From the date of commencement as a recruit Firefighter, there shall be a period of 12 months during which the recruit Firefighter shall be on probation. During this time the recruit Firefighter shall be continually assessed to determine his/her suitability for continued employment. Such period of 12 months may be extended at the absolute discretion of the County Council. The recruit shall not become a permanent Firefighter at the end of the period of probation unless the County Council is satisfied that the Firefighter has been satisfactory in all respects. Remuneration: A Firefighter shall be paid at the appropriate approved national rates of Fire and Drill Fees and Retainer Fees and in accordance with any national agreements for retained Firefighters. Payment of fees is currently made fortnightly.

Retained Fire Service – Fire Fighter - Rates Applicable at 1st March 2025 RETAINER ALLOWANCE Service Duration Allowance 0-2 year 1 Year €14,523.00 2-4 Years 3 Years €15,515.00 5-7 Years 3 Years €16,739.00 8+ Years €17,854.00 Annual Leave: The terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 shall apply. A Firefighter’s annual leave entitlement will be calculated in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and S.I. 473 of 2001 Regulations. A Firefighter is entitled to a maximum of 4 working weeks i.e. 28 days. Payment for annual leave will be 8% of earnings inclusive of community fire safety, station duties, drill hours, training hours and average of calls in previous 52 weeks. A Firefighter will be required to comply with the terms of the Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters as operated by Kilkenny County Council. In cases of Annual Leave, advance notice must be given to the Station Officer or in their absence, to the Sub-Officer in advance of the first day of Annual Leave. Approval of annual leave will be subject to minimum crewing levels being maintained at station level. Each Firefighter must use their leave sheet or other means to record such annual leave absences. The provision of annual leave will be on the basis of 50% of annual leave on periods which the firefighter is rostered on and 50% of periods which the firefighter is rostered off for attendance at calls.

Safety Health & Welfare: Kilkenny County Council acknowledges its role in protecting the safety, health and welfare of its Firefighters. The County Council is committed to implementing and maintaining a programme that ensures, where possible, that all risks and hazards are eliminated or controlled to an acceptable level. The County Council will implement safe systems of work and methods to protect the safety, health and welfare of its Firefighters. A firefighter shall comply with Section 13 of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and shall familiarise themselves and cooperate with the terms of Kilkenny County Council’s safety management system and associated Policies,

Procedures and Guidance. Learning and Development: It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post. In addition, there are many opportunities for further professional and personal development. A Firefighter will be required to comply with the requirements of the Kilkenny Fire Service Training Policy, Annual Training Programme and Drill Night Programme. A Firefighter must attend other relevant courses run by the Fire Authority or the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management. A Firefighter shall attend and participate in drills and shall undergo from time to time, courses and further training as required or deemed appropriate by the County Council. The County Council shall decide the location(s) of the training. Adequate advance notice shall be given to Firefighters. This training may include on-going assessments as deemed appropriate. Attendance at drills and training will be required whether the firefighter is rostered on or off, unless on approved leave. A Firefighter shall be expected to acquire a level of training and knowledge as to enable them to interchange with and act as substitute for all personnel at operational level in the fire service of the County Council. Training Fees will be paid at the current hourly rate for Firefighters during training. Attendance at Drills and Incidents: There is an obligation on Firefighters to attend at alert/fire calls and at drills. This is the basis on which a retainer is paid. The onus on arranging to receive an alert/fire call shall rest with the Firefighter. Drills; Notwithstanding any other disciplinary action that the County Council may apply, failure to attend or participate in 85% of all drills in any quarter of a year, without good reason, will be addressed through the Local Authority’s disciplinary procedure.

Incidents In the case of an alert/fire call the Firefighter shall attend all calls within their Rostered-On duty Period (24 Weeks per annum). Firefighters who attend calls will be remunerated as per the Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters as operated by Kilkenny County Council. Where the Chief Fire Officer considers that a Firefighter is not fulfilling the above attendance standards which he/she considers reasonable in all the circumstances, the Chief Fire Officer will consider the matter of attendance under the Council’s disciplinary policy. Subsequent continuing failure to meet the above attendance standards, without good reason, shall be dealt with through the disciplinary procedure, and may result in termination of service at the absolute discretion of the County Council.

Absences: A Firefighter will be required to comply with the terms of the crew management arrangements for retained firefighters and the Attendance Management Policy as operated by Kilkenny County Council.

Sick Leave: If absent on sick leave, the Firefighter must immediately inform his/her Station Officer or Sub Officer. Where a Firefighter is absent due to sickness for three or more consecutive days, they shall submit a sick leave certificate to the Council from a medical doctor. The medical certificate must be signed and state the medical practitioner’s Medical Council registration number, and fitness for work as a Firefighter or otherwise. In general, medical certificates are required to be submitted on a weekly basis in cases of absences extending beyond one week. Depending on the nature of the absence, a medical certificate of fitness and/or independent medical review may be required prior to a Firefighter resuming operational duties following a period of sick leave absence, having regard to the nature of the illness/injury and/or length of absence at the absolute discretion of the County Council. A Return to Work Form must be completed with the Line Manager when a Firefighter returns to work after any period of sick leave. Arrangements for payment during sick leave will be made in accordance with the relevant Public Service Sick Leave Scheme in place, which may be reviewed from time to time.