Retained Firefighter

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 or 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 Heavy Goods Vehicle 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 and 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 Global Positioning System navigation planner such as 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 for 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 whether the availability as 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 or drills during working hours, employment will be terminated.

Self-employed candidates must also provide written evidence as to availability prior to appointment. Such written evidence must cover availability for initial training and for fire and other calls, drills, training and such duties which the Firefighter may be required by the County Council to perform.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

DUTIES OF THE ROLE SHALL INCLUDE

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.

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 emergencies.

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.

When required a Firefighter will substitute for any other Firefighter absent through sickness, annual leave or any other reason.

Firefighters shall ensure that the Fire Station is kept clean and tidy at all times. Firefighting equipment shall be kept clean, inspected, tested and maintained properly and stowed away in a safe manner.

Firefighters are required to adhere to and co-operate with all National and Local Agreements pertaining to the Fire Services.

Firefighters will be required to attend Training Courses as directed.

Firefighters must undertake driving duties as required.

Comply with all organisational policies, procedures and legislation.

Firefighters shall be responsible for items of personal equipment issued to them in connection with their employment.

Each Firefighter shall carry a Fire Brigade pocket alerter at all times and it shall be their responsibility to ensure that it is kept in proper working order.

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 upon attaining age of 55 years, or where the Firefighter wishes to serve beyond that age and the Fire Authority is satisfied that the Firefighter is medically fit to continue, but not beyond attaining the age of 62 years.

A retained Firefighter shall retire upon attaining the age of 55 years. Where they wish to serve beyond that age and are medically fit, they may continue but not beyond 62 years. Where a retained Firefighter is declared not medically fit, they shall retire.

Retained Firefighters are required to apply for an extension six months in advance of each birthday where an extension is sought. Any change in medical condition must be notified.

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 shall be required before recruitment. The County Council will nominate medical examiners. The candidate must comply with remedial requirements at their own expense.

An operational Firefighter shall agree to participate in the Occupational Health Scheme, undergo medical examinations as required, and attend examinations in accordance with frequency set by the scheme.

PROBATION Before appointment a recruit shall attend and successfully complete the Firefighter Skills Training Course.

Recruit Firefighters will undergo and complete recruit training programmes during probation including Firefighting Skills Course, Breathing Apparatus Course, Category C Driving Licence, Compartment Fire Behaviour Course and any other course required.

Training fees will be paid at the current hourly rate.

Failure to complete courses will result in termination of employment.

Probation shall be 12 months and may be extended. Confirmation depends on satisfactory performance.

ANNUAL LEAVE Annual leave will be in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

A Firefighter is entitled to a maximum of 4 working weeks. Payment for annual leave will be 8 percent of earnings.

Leave must comply with Crew Management Arrangements. Approval is subject to minimum crewing levels.

SAFETY HEALTH AND WELFARE Kilkenny County Council is committed to protecting safety, health and welfare. Firefighters must comply with safety legislation and procedures and cooperate with the safety management system.

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT Firefighters will be required to participate in training programmes and ongoing assessments. Attendance at training and drills is required whether rostered on or off unless on approved leave.