Retained Firefighter

QUALIFICATIONS

1. CHARACTER

Each candidate shall be of good character.

2. HEALTH

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

3. CITIZENSHIP

Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:

(a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or

(b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or

(c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or

(d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or

(f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.

4. DRIVING LICENCE

Applicants must, on the latest date for receipt of application forms, hold a current, unendorsed full Class B driving licence and have satisfactory experience of driving.

Possession of a Class C Driving Licence would be an advantage.

5. AGE

Each candidate must be at least 18 years of age on the closing date for receipt of application forms.

Retirement age for Retained Firefighters is 55 years of age (up to 62 years of age subject to conditions).

6. EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Each applicant must:

(i) Satisfy the Local Authority that they have attained a standard in general education such as would enable them to perform satisfactorily the duties specified and, in particular, to keep efficiently all records pertaining to the post.

(ii) Have a high standard of physical fitness to enable them to successfully undergo the appropriate training and to perform satisfactorily as a Firefighter.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Candidates for the post must demonstrate that they have competency and skills in the following areas. Application forms should include practical examples which demonstrates these competencies. Interviews will be competency based and marks will be awarded under these skill sets.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills including skills in multi-disciplinary working and the ability to collaborate with colleagues.

Teamwork / Working with Others

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of teamwork and group dynamics.

• Contributes fully to the team effort.

• Plays an integral part in the smooth running of teams without necessarily taking the lead.

Adaptability / Flexibility

• Adjusts to changing environments whilst maintaining effectiveness.

• Modifies their approach to achieve a goal.

• Open to change and new information.

• Rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.

Relevant Knowledge / Organisational Awareness

• Demonstrates an understanding and knowledge of the Local Government services and structure including the Retained Fire Service.

• Demonstrates an awareness of the operational abilities of Sligo Fire Service and the demands placed on members of the Retained Fire Service.

• Demonstrates an understanding and knowledge of organisational policies and procedures (including Health and Safety) and the ability to conform with same.

PARTICULARS AND DUTIES OF EMPLOYMENT

The following particulars and duties of employment shall apply to the position of Retained Firefighters in addition to the Terms of Engagement for Retained Fire Service Personnel as issued by Sligo County Council.

1. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The position is permanent and part-time.

Fire Station – Sligo Fire Station

The person appointed shall reside and work within a 0.75 mile radius (and within 5 minutes) of the Fire Station to enable them to function effectively as a Retained Firefighter. On receipt of a fire or other emergency call, the Retained Firefighter must be in attendance at Sligo Fire Station within 5 minutes of receipt of the call.

Ballymote / Enniscrone / Tubbercurry Fire Stations

The person appointed shall reside and work within a 1.5 mile radius (and within 5 minutes) of the respective Fire Station to enable them to function effectively as a Retained Firefighter. On receipt of a fire or other emergency call, the Retained Firefighter must be in attendance at the Fire Station within 5 minutes of receipt of the call.

All Retained Firefighters will be required to be available and attend alerts on a week-on / week-off basis (exclusive of holidays). Across the period where a Retained Firefighter is rostered-off, they can, if they so wish, attend incidents on the provision that they have informed the Station Officer / Sub Station Officer of their availability.

In the event of occasional, unavoidable absence of a rostered member for part of their week on duty, it is the responsibility of that member to arrange cover for the period of their absence with an available (off duty) member. This agreement has to be notified and agreed with the Station Officer or Sub-Station Officer in advance. This is to guarantee that the Station Officer is in a position to ensure that the minimum manning levels for the station are met before any cover arrangement can be approved.

2. RATE OF REMUNERATION

A Retained Firefighter shall be paid at the appropriate approved national rates of Fire and Drill fees and Retainer fees.

Current Rates of Remuneration

(a) Annual Retainer for Firefighter

a. On recruitment €16,190

b. 2 – 4 years €17,192

c. 5 – 7 years €18,428

d. 8 years + €19,555

(b) Fees for Attendance at Fires

Day Fire – First Hour or Part of an Hour €51.04

Day Fire – Per Hour Thereafter €25.52

(Day fires 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Mon – Fri)

Night Fire – First Hour or Part of an Hour €102.08

Night Fire – Per Hour Thereafter €51.04

(Night fires 8:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.)

Weekend and public holiday fires are paid for at the same rate as night fires.

(c) Fees for Attendance at Drill Nights €51.04

The above fees shall be reduced by the amount of such statutory deductions as may apply from time to time.

Holders of the position will be required to pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their position or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

3. SUPERANNUATION

Persons who are pensionable under the Single Public Sector Pension Scheme, contributions in respect of superannuation shall be deducted at a rate of 3% of pensionable remuneration plus 3½% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependent or qualified children).

4. RETIREMENT AGE

The normal retirement age is 55. On reaching 55 years of age or sooner, if found to be medically unfit, you shall cease to be a Retained Firefighter.

The maximum age limit of 55 years may be lowered by the County Council should the normal age for retirement in employment generally be lowered and, in such case, the age lower than 55 years shall apply.

Retained Firefighters who would be physically capable of working beyond age 55 have the option to continue working for a defined limited period subject to compulsory medical assessment, on an annual basis. The extended optional period would be to age 62. No Retained Firefighter shall be employed beyond age 62.

5. MEDICAL

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it will be necessary for the successful candidate, before appointment, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded.

In addition, all Retained Fire Services Personnel must:

(a) Participate in the Occupational Health Scheme for members of the Retained Service;

(b) At any time, if requested by the Council, undergo such medical examination(s) by medical examiner(s) as nominated by the Council.

Such examinations will be carried out at the Council’s expense. Any defects discovered will not be remedied at Sligo County Council’s expense.

Retention as a member of the Retained Fire Services will depend upon receipt of satisfactory medical reports.

All Retained Fire Services Personnel must maintain a good level of physical fitness through regular strenuous exercise. A Return to Work Medical may be required depending on the nature of sick leave.

6. PROBATION

There shall be a period of twelve months probation from the date of commencement. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive. Employment will cease unless service is certified as satisfactory.

During this period, the Firefighter must successfully complete a two-week Breathing Apparatus Wearer’s Course. Failure to do so will result in termination.

Termination may occur during or at the end of probation in accordance with Sligo County Council’s Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure and the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973–2001.

7. TRAINING

A Firefighter shall attend drills and undergo training as required by the Council. A minimum of 96 hours training per annum will be provided.

Firefighters must acquire sufficient training to operate communications systems, appliances, vehicles, pumps, rescue equipment, hydrants, and other emergency equipment.

All Firefighters must be qualified Breathing Apparatus Wearers and complete a refresher course every two years.