Retained Firefighter

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

QualificationsCharacter

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 at least 18 years of age 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 that indicates a reasonable prospect of providing regular and efficient service. Each applicant must be free from any defect or disease that would render them unsuitable to hold the office.

An operational Firefighter is required to maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness.

Driver's Licence

A recruit Firefighter must 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 cooperate with further driver training and will be required to drive Fire Service vehicles if operationally required. 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. This will 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, before appointment and periodically throughout their employment.

Residence

Persons appointed must live and work within a maximum of 8 minutes' travel time from the designated Fire Station (based on a GPS 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 to verify the place of residence and location of employment.

A Firefighter must 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 places the Firefighter outside these limits will result in 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 confirming availability before appointment. The County Council, at its sole discretion, will determine whether the availability provided is acceptable.

If the Firefighter's primary employer subsequently changes their conditions of employment and does not allow attendance at fire calls or drills during working hours, employment will be terminated.

Self-employed applicants must also provide written evidence of availability before appointment. This evidence must cover availability for initial training, fire and other emergency calls, drills, training, and any other duties required by the County Council.

Job Duties and ResponsibilitiesDuties of the Role

• Attend fires, 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 emergency calls will be addressed through the Local Authority's disciplinary procedure. Firefighters must be available and capable of responding whenever required.
• Accept all work associated with Fire Brigade service and fulfil the duties of a Firefighter to the best of their ability in saving life, protecting property, and fighting fires and other emergencies.
• Comply with Kilkenny County Council's Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters. Firefighters on standby during incidents shall remain at the station and perform duties assigned by the Station Officer.
• Substitute for other Firefighters who are absent due to sickness, annual leave, or any other reason when required.
• Ensure the Fire Station is kept clean and tidy at all times. Firefighting equipment must be cleaned, inspected, tested, maintained, and stored safely.
• Adhere to and cooperate with all National and Local Agreements relating to the Fire Service.
• Attend training courses as directed.
• Undertake driving duties as required.
• Comply with all organisational policies, procedures, and legislation.
• Be responsible for all personal equipment issued in connection with employment.
• Carry a Fire Brigade pocket alerter at all times and ensure it is maintained in proper working order.
• Carry out any other duties assigned from time to time.

Particulars of OfficeType of Post

A panel will be established from which relevant vacancies may be filled.

Conditions of EmploymentEmployment

The employment is part-time and pensionable.

The initial appointment will be for a probationary period of one year, which may be extended if required.

Retirement

A Firefighter shall retire:

• Upon attaining 55 years of age; or
• Where the Firefighter wishes to continue serving beyond that age and the Fire Authority is satisfied they are medically fit, they may continue to serve up to, but not beyond, 62 years of age.

Retained Firefighters wishing to continue beyond 55 years of age must apply for an extension to their existing contract six months before their next birthday each year that an extension is sought.

Any significant change in a Firefighter's medical condition during the extension period must be reported to the employer.

Health

A Firefighter must remain in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of providing regular and efficient service.

Medical Examination

Before recruitment, successful applicants must undergo medical examinations, which may include X-rays and other special tests, as required by the County Council. The County Council will nominate the medical examiners.

Candidates must comply, at their own expense, with any remedial requirements considered necessary by the County Council.

An operational Firefighter shall:

• Participate in the Occupational Health Scheme for Retained Firefighters operated by Kilkenny County Council.
• Undergo medical examinations by County Council-appointed medical examiners whenever requested.
• Attend medical examinations at the intervals specified in the Occupational Health Scheme issued by the LGMA.

Any defects identified during medical examinations will not be remedied at the County Council's expense.

Continued employment as an operational Firefighter depends upon satisfactory medical reports. Upon reaching 55 years of age, or earlier if declared medically unfit, a Firefighter shall cease to serve.

Operational Firefighters are required to maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness.

Probation

Before appointment, recruit Firefighters must attend and successfully complete the three-week Firefighter Skills Training Course.

During the probationary period, recruit Firefighters must successfully complete:

• Three-week Recruit Firefighting Skills Course (including Manual Handling).
• Two-week Breathing Apparatus Initial Wearers' Course.
• Attainment of an HGV Category C Driving Licence.
• One-week Breathing Apparatus Compartment Fire Behaviour Course.
• Any additional course required by the County Council.

Training fees will be paid at the current hourly Firefighter training rate, which is currently €26.30 per hour.

Failure to successfully complete all required courses will result in termination of employment.

Training may take place at locations that are not necessarily local.

From the date of commencement, recruit Firefighters will serve a 12-month probationary period, during which their suitability for continued employment will be continually assessed.

The probationary period may be extended at the absolute discretion of the County Council.

A recruit will not become a permanent Firefighter unless the County Council is satisfied that they have performed satisfactorily in all respects.

Firefighters will be paid the nationally approved Fire and Drill Fees and Retainer Fees in accordance with national agreements for Retained Firefighters.

Payment of fees is currently made fortnightly.

Salary:€17,021.00 – €20,454.00 per year

Annual Leave

The provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 apply.

Annual leave entitlement is calculated in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and S.I. 473 of 2001 Regulations.

Firefighters are entitled to a maximum of 4 working weeks (28 days) annual leave.

Annual leave payment is calculated as 8% of earnings, including:

• Community Fire Safety.
• Station duties.
• Drill hours.
• Training hours.
• Average call attendance during the previous 52 weeks.

Firefighters must comply with the Crew Management Arrangements for Retained Firefighters operated by Kilkenny County Council.

Advance notice of annual leave must be given to the Station Officer or, in their absence, the Sub-Officer.

Approval of annual leave is subject to maintaining minimum station crewing levels.

Each Firefighter must record annual leave using the appropriate leave sheet or approved system.

Annual leave will normally be allocated on the basis of:

• 50% during periods rostered on for emergency call attendance.
• 50% during periods rostered off for emergency call attendance.

Safety, Health & Welfare

Kilkenny County Council acknowledges its responsibility to protect the safety, health, and welfare of its Firefighters.

The Council is committed to implementing and maintaining programmes that eliminate or control risks and hazards, where possible, through safe systems of work.

Firefighters must comply with Section 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and familiarise themselves with, and cooperate fully with, Kilkenny County Council's Safety Management System, policies, procedures, and guidance.

Learning and Development

Successful candidates must participate in all training programmes relevant to the duties of the post.

There are also opportunities for further professional and personal development.

Firefighters must comply with the Kilkenny Fire Service Training Policy, Annual Training Programme, and Drill Night Programme.

Firefighters must attend all relevant courses organised by the Fire Authority or the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.

Firefighters are required to attend drills and training courses as directed by the County Council. Training may include ongoing assessments.

Attendance at drills and training is required whether rostered on or off, unless on approved leave.

Firefighters are expected to acquire sufficient training and knowledge to substitute for all operational personnel within the County Council Fire Service.

Training fees will be paid at the current hourly Firefighter training rate, which is currently €26.04 per hour.