Retained Firefighter

The Competition

The Position

Meath County Council invites applications from suitably qualified persons who wish to be considered for inclusion on a panel from which permanent and fixed-term contract vacancies for the position of Retained Fire Fighter in Dunshaughlin, Kells, Navan, Nobber, Oldcastle and Trim Fire Stations shall be drawn.

Competition Timeline

There are a number of phases to this recruitment process which are set out in more detail below (see P14-17). In summary, the process is as follows:

March

March 13th Competition Opens

March 23rd - Station Open Days and Pre-Test Familiarisation

March 26th Enables prospective candidates to visit the station and meet the local fire-fighters and to help candidates become familiar with the components of the work-related test, there will be demonstrations and an opportunity to practice. These Open Days will take place in:

Navan Monday, 23rd March at 19:00 – 21:00

Kells Tuesday, 24th March at 19:00 – 21:00

Oldcastle Tuesday, 24th March 19:30 – 21:00

Nobber Wednesday, 25th March 19:00 – 21:00

Trim Wednesday, 25th March 20:00 – 22:00

Dunshaughlin Thursday, 26th March 19:30 – 21:00

April

April 1st Deadline for Submission of Online Applications

April 2nd – 17th Assessment of Applications - Shortlisting of Candidates

April 20th – 24th Work-Related Test for Candidates – shortlisted candidates will be allocated a time to undertake this suitability test. This will take place at Navan Fire Station.

May/June

May/June Interviews – interviews will take place at Meath County Council headquarters.

May/June Medical Examination – Candidates that are successful at interview stage and who will be offered a fire-fighter position will be invited to undergo a pre-arranged medical examination. These are organised by the Council and candidates will be informed directly.

TBC Recruits Training Programme – Candidates that have been offered a position and passed the medical examination will be invited to attend one of the national Recruits Training Courses. These take place for a period of 3 weeks. Candidates will need to arrange for time off from their employer and to manage other commitments in order to attend this course. Exact dates to be confirmed.

The location of the course will be confirmed to candidates nearer the time however please note, this training is part of a national training programme for Retained Fire Fighters and will be held at a training facility anywhere within the country.

Fire Service - Purpose, Duties and Responsibilities

Meath County Council is responsible for the provision of a wide range of services for the people of County Meath, including the provision of fire-fighting and fire prevention services.

The Council now requires additional members for the retained Fire Service (retained being part-time and on-call personnel).

The Fire Service responds to all emergency calls from the public for assistance, primarily to protect life and save injury to individuals, but also to prevent and restrict damage to property. Many emergency calls are not just in relation to fires, but can be to incidents involving road traffic collisions, incidents involving chemical spillages or toxic emissions, and river rescues, etc.

To deliver this service to the public the Fire Service develops operational plans, including the provision of adequate water supplies for fire-fighting; ensures that effective arrangements exist to receive emergency “999” calls and mobilise resources; implements effective operational communication systems throughout the Fire Service; enforces, promotes and encourages fire safety within the county by programmes of inspection and publicity; conducts effective training to develop the skills and abilities of personnel; and provides, maintains and repairs its premises, vehicles, plant and equipment.

Fully qualified fire-fighters are skilled personnel capable of using the most modern equipment, methods and techniques to undertake the full range of duties such as fire-fighting, rescue, road traffic collision extrications and other emergencies.

A fire-fighter’s work and training is geared towards responding safely and effectively to emergency calls, regardless of weather conditions or the time of day or night. Every time fire-fighters are called to the scene of an emergency, they must be prepared to deploy the skills in which they have been trained and respond to the instructions and commands of their Incident Commander.

In order to function effectively in emergencies fire-fighters must demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Courage and physical strength;

• A capacity for rapid, intense and sustained effort;

• An unquestioning acceptance of orders in emergency situations;

• A capacity to use their own initiative when alone;

• Complete and automatic familiarity with the equipment and tools of the profession (which may range up to major items of plant such as fire-fighting appliance vehicles);

• A practical understanding of the basis of a wide range of subjects necessary to anticipate and overcome hazards;

• Empathy with victims of emergency situations;

• An ability to carry out their function in what may occasionally be emotionally difficult and harrowing circumstances.

A GOOD JOB:

Working in the Fire Service is very appealing – its action oriented, serving the community, with job satisfaction and high level training. If you can meet the demands of a public service with a first class reputation for dealing with all types of serious incidents, the Retained Fire Service can offer you a fulfilling and satisfying job.

A SATISFYING AND PROGRESSIVE CAREER:

A career as a retained fire-fighter will be demanding both physically and mentally. You will be operationally “on-call” once you have completed your recruit training and for the first year you will be on probation. You will be expected to absorb a wide range of information and to demonstrate your technical and practical skills through a series of assessments and examinations.

ALWAYS IMPROVING:

Technological developments in every dimension of our lives and new hazards must be matched by improvements in fire-fighting techniques and equipment. A reasonable standard of education is desirable so that you can assimilate the technical work involved in today’s service. The role of a modern fire-fighter is very challenging and rewarding and individuals are required to display determination, physical stamina and discipline in stressful situations.

Some of the key duties of a retained fire-fighter are:

• To be available to respond to and deal with emergency calls immediately and safely within the station fireground area;

• To work effectively and efficiently as a member of a team;

• To be available and undertake all training as required;

• To acquire and maintain knowledge to enhance professional skills in all areas relevant to the position including: Topography; Hazards and special risks; Water supplies and fixed fire-fighting systems, etc.;

• To maintain, clean, repair and test fire-fighting and emergency equipment as required;

• To uphold the Fire Service’s high standards and reputation with particular regard to appearance, dress, conduct, behaviour and demeanour;

• To maintain a level of health and fitness commensurate with your duties as a Fire-fighter;

• To understand, comply with and implement all relevant policies of Meath County Council and the Meath County Council Fire and Rescue Service, including Health and Safety policies and procedures and Grievance and Disciplinary, Dignity at Work, etc.;

• To undertake routine administrative duties, including the use of information technology, as required;

• To carry out any other duties as reasonably required by the Chief Fire Officer.

Qualifications for the Post

Character

Each candidate must be of good character and, if being considered for a post after interview, will be required to provide a reference from two responsible citizens who are not related to them.

Age

Candidates shall be over the age of 18 years at the date of appointment. Any candidate who reaches the age of 55 years prior to appointment will cease to be eligible for appointment on the result of the competition.

Retirement

The normal retirement age is 55. The retirement age for a fire-fighter may be extended up to 62 years at the discretion of Meath County Council as their employer and subject to the fire-fighter successfully completing a medical examination by the Council’s Medical Adviser for each of the last 7 years of service.

Health

Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Candidates must:

a) Be free from any illness or disease which would render them unsuitable for duty with the service and be in a state of health that meets the required standards as determined by the Council’s Medical Adviser, such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

b) Before being accepted for appointment a candidate will be required to pass a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by Meath County Council and, as a condition of retention of the appointment, to pass further such medical examinations at specified intervals.

c) Successful candidates to the positions will be required to co-operate with the National Occupational Health System for Retained Fire-fighters and to undergo periodical medical examinations.

Medical Examination

Before recruitment, a candidate must undergo such medical examination (which may include X-ray and or other special tests) as the Council consider necessary and in line with national guidance and requirements for retained fire-fighters or National Occupational Health System for Retained Firefighters. The medical examiners will be nominated by the Council. A candidate must comply, at their own expense, with such remedial requirements as the Council may consider necessary.

Fire-fighters employed by the Council will be required to undergo regular compulsory medical examinations as set out in the National Occupational Health System for Retained Fire-fighters, up to age 55 and then annually up to age 62. A Fire-fighter who is unable to satisfy the Council as to their ability to perform their duties to the necessary standard will be required to retire.

Education and Experience

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, have attained a suitable level of education to enable them to undergo successfully the appropriate training and to perform satisfactorily as a Fire-fighter. Each candidate must be able to demonstrate a proficient level of literacy and numeracy skills to allow them to fulfil the duties of the role. Candidates will be required to undertake a Literacy and Numeracy Competency Test as part of the recruitment process.

Driving Licence

A candidate must, at the date of application, be the holder of a full unendorsed Class “B” Driving Licence. On appointment and after an interval decided by the Chief Fire Officer, fire-fighters may be required to obtain a HGV licence and undertake further driving training and instruction to enable them to drive fire appliances and other Fire Service fleet.

If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Salary

The employment is part-time. A Fire-fighter shall be paid at the appropriate approved national rates of Fire and Retainer Fees. The current rates of remuneration are:

Retaining Fee (Annual): €16,852 – €20,251 (please note starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy).

A fire-fighter starting in the service will receive a fixed payment of €18,221.00 per year. This includes the annual retainer fee as outlined above and additional nationally agreed allowances. This fixed payment increases with the length of service.

Rates of pay in addition to the fixed payment:

Attendance at Fires/Incidents (day-time):

• 1st Hour: €52.08

• Subsequent Hours: €26.04

Attendance at Fires/Incidents (nights/weekends):

• 1st Hour: €104.16

• Subsequent Hours: €52.08

Community Fire Safety Payment: €1,045.00 annually

Clothing Allowance: €186.59 annually

In summary:

Retained fire-fighters in Meath County Council can expect to have approximate average earnings of €26,500 - €49,000 per year. The key variable is the number of incidents. See attached summary sheet for each fire station.

Probation

Initial appointment will be for a probationary period of 12 months from the date of commencement as an operational retained Fire-fighter. The person appointed will cease to hold the appointment at the end of the probationary period unless the Chief Fire Officer or another appointed officer of Meath County Council certifies that they have complied with the requirements for appointment and are otherwise performing satisfactorily in the post and carrying out all duties to the required standard.

Health and Safety

It shall be the duty of every fire-fighter while at work:

a) To take reasonable care for their own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by their acts or omissions while at work;

b) To co-operate with their employer and any other person to such extent as will enable their employer or the other person to comply with any of the relevant statutory provisions;

c) To use in such manner so as to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or other means or thing provided (whether for their use alone or for use by them in common with others) for securing their safety, health or welfare while at work; and

d) To report to their employer or immediate superior, without unreasonable delay, any defects in plant, equipment, place of work or system of work which might endanger safety, health or welfare, of which they become aware.

No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse any appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or other means or thing provided in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions or otherwise, for securing the safety, health or welfare of persons arising out of work activities.