Retained Firefighters

CARLOW COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

The Carlow Fire Service is a retained service. Retained firefighters work on a part-time basis.

Membership of the Fire Service is voluntary and a firefighter may resign at any time, having provided the statutory notice.

The appropriate retaining fee and the hourly rate for attendance at fires and drill sessions will be paid according to the approved national scale, as set out for the time being in Appendix A.

Attendance at 85% of all drills and training sessions on a quarterly basis is necessary to qualify for a retaining fee. Firefighters who do not meet this requirement may lose 50% of their retainer (Annual Leave, Certified Sick Leave and Jury Duty, if not excused, may be valid excuses for absence). Other penalties may also apply.

A successful candidate will only be offered employment on a probationary basis as a Retained Firefighter, subject to satisfactory completion of the following courses:

(a) Firefighting Skills Course – A full-time three-week course held at a training centre in Ireland. This may involve staying away from home on a Monday to Friday basis for the three weeks.

(b) Breathing Apparatus Course – A full-time two-week course held at a training centre in Ireland. This may involve staying away from home on a Monday to Friday basis for the two weeks.

(c) Compartment Fire Behaviour Training Course – A full-time one-week course held at a training centre in Ireland. This may involve staying away from home on a Monday to Friday basis for the week.

The earnings of a Retained Firefighter are variable depending on the level of activity undertaken by each individual. Earnings are made up of:

• An annual retainer.
• Payments for attending training.
• Payments for attending call-outs.
• Payments for carrying out Community Fire Safety duties.
• Payments for other duties.

An annual review will be undertaken in December each year to identify stations with low incident mobilisation. Where such levels fall below 75 hours in a calendar year, an adjustment payment will be made to each firefighter to provide for a minimum annual payment of 75 hours. This payment will be calculated on a pro rata basis for any new entrants during a calendar year.

QualificationsCharacter

Firefighters are required to:

• Be of good character.
• Be physically and medically fit.
• Possess intelligence, courage and initiative.

Before being accepted, firefighters will be required to pass medical, physical and other examinations, which may include cardiovascular assessment tests.

Firefighters will also agree to undertake such other examinations as may be deemed necessary by the Chief Fire Officer. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Return-to-work medicals.
• Provision of inoculations.
• Screening.

Carlow County Council may make whatever enquiries it considers necessary to satisfy this condition.

Firefighters must be prepared at all times to act with a keen and responsible approach to both training and any other duties assigned to them.

The successful applicant will be subject to Garda Vetting before any appointment is confirmed.

They will also be required to comply fully with the requirements of the Occupational Health Scheme for Members of the Retained Fire Service, as published by the Local Government Management Services Board in July 2005.

Retained firefighters will be required to undergo regular and ad hoc medical examinations at any time.

Qualifying Criteria

• Firefighters must be at least 18 years of age on recruitment.
• The retirement age for retained firefighters is 55 years. The Council may, at its discretion, extend the age limit beyond 55 years, but under no circumstances shall such an extension permit an employee to continue beyond the age of 62 years.
• A birth certificate must be submitted to Carlow County Council as proof of age.
• A firefighter must reside and work within a reasonable distance of the Fire Station to enable prompt response to all calls. On receipt of a fire or other emergency, Carlow Fire & Rescue Service aims to mobilise its stations within 5 minutes.
• Applicants shall possess adequate practical, literacy and numeracy skills to carry out their duties safely and competently.
• Applicants will be required to undertake Firefighter Suitability Assessments, including practical, literacy and numeracy assessments, as part of the selection process. Attendance at these assessments is at the candidate's own expense.
• Successful applicants must be prepared to undertake any Fire & Rescue Service training courses deemed necessary to refresh or enhance their capability to carry out their role safely and competently, together with any other training required by the Chief Fire Officer.
• All new applicants must hold a current clean Class B driving licence, free from endorsements, on the closing date for applications.
• Successful applicants will be required to obtain and maintain a full Class C driving licence within the twelve-month probationary period.
• Successful applicants will also be expected to complete the Emergency Services Driving Standard training.
• It is the responsibility of the firefighter to notify the Chief Fire Officer in writing, without delay, of any endorsement or suspension applied to their driving licence.

Health

A firefighter shall be free from any defect, disease, physical or psychological condition that may adversely impact on their duties and must be in a state of health that indicates a reasonable prospect of providing regular and efficient service.

They will also be required to comply fully with the requirements of the Occupational Health Scheme for Members of the Retained Fire Service, as published by the Local Government Management Services Board in July 2005.

Retained firefighters will be required to undergo regular and ad hoc medical examinations at any time.

Abridged Conditions of Employment

• A firefighter must reside and work within a reasonable distance of the Fire Station to enable prompt response to all calls. Carlow Fire & Rescue Service aims to mobilise stations within 5 minutes of receiving an emergency call. If availability is affected by a change of residence, work or any other reason, the firefighter will be required to resign. Proof of address/Eircode must be provided.
• A firefighter must submit a letter from their employer confirming permission to attend training and emergency call-outs. Self-employed personnel must also provide written evidence of availability before appointment.
• A retained firefighter who is offered employment will attend:

These courses are non-consecutive.

Failure to successfully complete these courses will result in termination of employment. Unless there are exceptional mitigating circumstances, as determined by the Chief Fire Officer, firefighters will be permitted one opportunity to pass the Recruit Training Course and the Breathing Apparatus Initial Wearers Course.

• Retained firefighters will be subject to a probationary period of 12 months following appointment.
• Retained firefighters are required to comply with the Composite Agreement for Retained Firefighters 1999, as implemented in Carlow County Fire & Rescue, including completing age-related fitness tests.
• A retained firefighter is required to retire at 55 years of age unless he/she passes an annual occupational health assessment, allowing service to continue until a maximum age of 62 years.
• Annual leave entitlement is calculated in accordance with the Working Time Act 1997 and S.I. No. 473 of 2001 Organisation of Working Time (Records) (Prescribed Form and Exemptions) Regulations 2001.
• The current annual leave entitlement is 28 days per annum.
• One day's annual leave is equivalent to 24 hours.
• Annual leave payment is calculated as 8% of earnings from the previous year, excluding:
• Annual leave payment is made when leave is taken as part of the fortnightly payroll cycle.
• A firefighter shall receive a minimum of 100 hours of training each year, including 2 hours per week of scheduled drill training, together with additional prescribed training courses.
• Based on a 52-week year, excluding 4 weeks' annual leave, retained firefighters are required to be available for alerts for 24 weeks each year on a week-on/week-off flexible roster.
• During rostered-off weeks, firefighters may still attend incidents if they wish.
• Where a rostered-on firefighter has an unavoidable absence, it is their responsibility to arrange cover with an available rostered-off firefighter. This arrangement must be approved in advance by the Station Officer or Sub-Station Officer.
• Firefighters are rostered in accordance with station procedures and are required to attend all fire calls during rostered-on periods.
• Firefighters must carry a Fire Service alerter, switched on and fully operational, at all times.
• Firefighters will accept and comply with all Brigade Service Orders currently in force and any future Service Orders issued by the Chief Fire Officer.
• Firefighters must comply with all safety management systems and their responsibilities under the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
• Any grievance shall be dealt with through Carlow County Council's Grievance Procedure.
• Any disciplinary matters will be dealt with under Carlow County Council's Disciplinary Procedures.
• During the twelve-month probationary period, firefighters must demonstrate satisfactory progress through regular practical tests and performance appraisals.
• Applicants must attend interviews at their own expense.
• A panel of successful applicants may be formed and will remain in place for one year.
• Sick leave must be reported to the Station Officer or Sub-Station Officer on the first morning of illness.
• A medical certificate from a qualified Medical Practitioner must be submitted on the third day of continuous sick leave and weekly thereafter.
• Where a firefighter is incapacitated for an extended period due to serious illness or injury, payment of the retainer for up to three months is subject to:
• Retainer payments may be extended to six months depending on the merits of the case and attendance record.
• Extended sick leave would normally only be granted once.
• A medical certificate confirming fitness to return to work must be submitted before resuming operational duties after certified sick leave exceeding seven days.
• A Return to Work Form must be completed following both certified and uncertified sick leave.
• Medical certificates should state the general nature of the illness and will be treated confidentially.
• The Council reserves the right to require an independent medical examination.
• Depending on the illness or injury, referral to an Occupational Health Practitioner may be required before returning to work.
• Firefighters must comply with the policy on Long and Prolonged Term Absence.
• Persistent intermittent sick leave may be investigated, including referral to an independent medical adviser.
• Where abuse or misuse of the sick leave scheme is established, entitlement to paid retainer fees during sick leave may be withdrawn, or other disciplinary sanctions may apply.

Remuneration (Effective 1 June 2026)Current Retaining Fee

• 0–1 Years: €17,021
• 2–4 Years: €18,043
• 5–7 Years: €19,303
• 8 Years Plus: €20,454

Hourly Rate of Attendance

Attendance at Fire Practices and Drills

• Drill rate per hour: €52.60 (approximately 100 hours per annum).