Retained Firefighter

THE ROLE

The role of the retained firefighter is primarily to

• Save life and preserve endangered life

• Protect property from damage by fire

• Inform and educate awareness of safety

Retained firefighters are on call to respond to emergencies. As well as responding to emergency calls, firefighters may also be involved in community fire safety initiatives. Although retained firefighters are part time, they are fully trained and capable of saving life and property to provide a comprehensive service to the community.

When a call is received firefighters are required to respond immediately. Retained firefighters must be ready to drop whatever they are doing to become part of a team ready to respond safely and effectively to the emergency regardless of the time of day or night or the weather conditions.

The Fire Service responds to emergency calls from the public primarily to prevent injury and protect life but also to prevent and restrict damage to property. Many emergency calls are not to fires but to road traffic accidents where casualties may be trapped in vehicles. The Fire Service may also be called to deal with chemical spillages and toxic emissions. Firefighters need to be able to use problem solving skills and initiative to resolve issues quickly and calmly. Firefighters also need to be able to deal sensitively and appropriately with members of the public when they are distressed, confused or obstructive.

Firefighters are required to carry out routine checks as well as cleaning and maintaining all equipment and fire appliance to ensure they work properly when required during an emergency.

Firefighters are required to participate and take part in the duties as required as part of the organisational response to Climate Action to promote and ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action.

All new recruits undergo extensive initial training which includes a three week Recruit Induction course, a two week Breathing Apparatus Wearers Course and one week Compartment Fire Behaviour course. Thereafter all firefighters are required to undergo a continuous development programme by attending lectures, exercises, practical courses and other forms of training to maintain competency levels. Firefighters are expected to take responsibility for developing their own skills and for ensuring that their fitness levels are maintained as the work of a firefighter can be demanding both physically and psychologically

DUTIES OF THE POSITION

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 disciplinary procedure.

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.

Every Firefighter must comply with the County Council 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.

Firefighters shall ensure that the Fire Station is kept clean and tidy at all times. Firefighting equipment shall be kept clean, 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.

Participate and take part in the duties as required as part of the organisational response to Climate Action to promote and ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action.

Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

THE CANDIDATE

Candidates must be

• Able to work in hazardous conditions for long periods of time including heights and confined spaces

• Mechanically adept with good dexterity and coordination

• Able to follow instruction

• Able to work well under pressure

• Self reliant and self assured with a keen sense of discipline

• Able to contribute to and work with a team

• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• Able to understand and memorise technical information

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants for the post of Retained Firefighter must be 18 years old on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms. A birth certificate must be submitted to the County Council as proof of age before a person is engaged as a recruit.

Character

Applicants must be of good character and must not at any time bring the County Council and Fire Brigade into disrepute. The Council may make whatever enquiries it considers necessary to satisfy this condition. Employment will be subject to the provision of satisfactory references and Garda Vetting

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

Before recruitment successful applicants shall undergo such medical examinations 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

• Agree to participate in the Occupational Health Scheme for Retained Firefighters

• At any time if requested by the County Council undergo medical examinations as nominated by the County Council

• Attend medical examinations in accordance with the frequency set

• Any defects discovered will not be remedied at the County Council expense

• Retention as an operational Firefighter will depend upon satisfactory medical reports

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

Citizenship

Candidates must by the date of any job offer be

• A citizen of the European Economic Area

• A citizen of the United Kingdom

• A citizen of Switzerland

• A non EEA citizen with appropriate stamp 4 status in qualifying categories

Education

Candidates must have a good standard of education and be able to successfully undergo the required training for the post of retained firefighter

Candidates must hold an unendorsed Class B Driving Licence and on appointment will be required to obtain a Class C Licence

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT

The post is part time and pensionable

Location

Persons appointed must live and work within a maximum of 8 minutes response time from alert. The Council may request verification of residence and employment location. Changes of residence or employment must be notified immediately and may affect employment.

Fire stations include

• Granard

• Lanesboro

• Longford

• Edgeworthstown

• Ballymahon

Letter of Release

A letter of release from employer is required confirming availability for fire service duties and training

Compliance with Agreements

Each employee must comply with all national and local agreements in force

Driver Licence

Firefighters must hold a Category B licence at application stage and obtain Category C licence after appointment. Loss or suspension of licence must be reported immediately and may result in disciplinary action

Probationary Period

Recruit Firefighters must complete training including

• Three week Firefighter Skills Course

• Two week Breathing Apparatus Initial Wearers Course

• One week Compartment Fire Behaviour Course

Training fees are paid at the current hourly rate during training

Failure to complete training will result in termination of employment

Probation is twelve months and may be extended. Continued employment depends on satisfactory performance throughout the probation period