Retained Fire Fighter

Mayo County Council is the Fire Authority for all of County Mayo and, as such, is required to make reasonable provision for the prompt and efficient extinguishing of fires occurring in buildings and other places and for the protection and rescue of persons and property from injury by fire. Mayo County Council, with one of the largest fire authority areas in the country, employs 150 retained Fire Fighters and has Fire Brigade units located at Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Claremorris, Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Swinford, Kiltimagh, Achill Sound, Belmullet, Crossmolina and Charlestown. We are currently now inviting applications from candidates who are passionate in supporting and serving their local communities, for the position of Retained Firefighter. Panels will be created for positions in our Fire Brigade units in Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Achill Sound, Crossmolina and Charlestown. In most circumstances a Retained Firefighter has another job / career and provides on-call cover for a minimum of 24 weeks in the year for the Fire Service either from home, or in some circumstances, from their place of work. In the event of a fire call, the Retained Firefighter will be notified, typically by pager, and he / she must respond to the Fire Station immediately. 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, however, are not to fires, but to incidents where members of the community are trapped in vehicles, machinery or in other less life-threatening circumstances. The firefighter’s working life and training is geared to responding safely and effectively to emergency calls, regardless of weather conditions or the time of day or night. Fully qualified firefighters are skilled technicians capable of using the most modern equipment, methods and techniques to undertake the full range of duties which can be deployed at any emergency incident. It is essential before applying for this position that you are aware of the on-going training demands and the personal commitment that must be given to fulfil the role of a Retained Firefighter. This includes being able to drop personal responsibilities at immediate notice to respond to a fire call, which may last anytime from 10 minutes, 10 hours, or longer. In order to function effectively in emergencies, Firefighters must demonstrate the following characteristics: • Courage and physical strength • A capacity for rapid, intense and sustained effort • 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

The role of a Firefighter is very challenging and rewarding and individuals are required to display determination, physical stamina and discipline in challenging situations. Please take a moment to complete the questionnaire contained in Appendix B to determine if this is the career for you. QUALIFICATIONS – RETAINED FIREFIGHTER

1. CHARACTER: Candidates shall be of good character. 2. HEALTH: Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Candidates who are successful will be required to undertake and successfully pass a medical examination before recruitment and in accordance with The Medical Standards for Recruitment to the Retained Fire Service; Local Government Management Services Board (2005). 3. RESIDENCE: Candidates, on appointment and during their employment thereafter, must live and work within either 3 km or a maximum of 4.5 minutes travel time (based on GPS navigation planner e.g. Google maps or similar as determined by Mayo County Council) of the Fire Station. The distances are measured from the place of employment and from their primary residence (home) to the Fire Station. On receipt of a fire or other emergency call personnel should be in attendance at the station within five minutes. 4. EDUCATION, TRAINING, SKILLS ETC: Candidates must have attained a suitable level of education to enable him/her to undergo successfully the appropriate training and to perform his/her duties satisfactorily as a Firefighter. Candidates must hold both a valid Category B Licence on the latest date for receipt of the application form and a valid Learner Permit for Category C licence on appointment. It is desirable but not essential to hold a valid Category C Licence. 5. 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. PARTICULARS – RETAINED FIREFIGHTER 1. POSITION: The employment is part-time and pensionable. A panel will be formed from qualified candidates from which appointments may be made. 2. REMUNERATION: A Firefighter shall be paid at the appropriate approved national rates of Fire, Drill Fees and Retainer Fees and in accordance with any national agreements for Retained Firefighters. Payment of fees is currently made quarterly but will be moving to fortnightly payment in due course. The current rates, as per Circular EL 03-2025, are outlined below.

A Firefighter shall be paid for hours attended at a fire or other emergency incident at the hourly rates shown below:

HOURLY RATE OF ATTENDANCE Fire – Day* Fire – Night/Weekend Bank Holidays €50.54 (1st Hour) €25.27 (Subsequent Hour) €101.08 (1st Hour) €50.54 (Subsequent Hour) * Day is 08:00 – 20:00 every weekday excluding Bank Holidays

A Firefighter shall be paid an annual retainer allowance depending on years’ service as shown below: €14,523 (0-1 Year); €15,515 (2-4 Years); €16,739 (5-7 Years)[ €17,854 (8+ years) A Firefighter shall be paid for all hours worked at the appropriate approved national rates shown over.

Rates of pay Drill fees €50.54 per hour Training courses/ Special works – all other hours authorised by the Line Manager €25.27 per hour Community Fire Safety A fixed payment of €38.88 per fortnight plus €25.27 per hour The above rates are subject to review on an ongoing basis. 3. DUTIES: A Retained 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’s disciplinary procedure. • 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. • Must comply with the County Council’s 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. • Shall ensure that the Fire Station is kept clean & tidy at all times. Firefighting equipment shall be kept clean, maintained properly and stowed away in a safe manner. • Is required to adhere to and co-operate with all National and Local Agreements pertaining to the Fire Services. • Must attend Training Courses as directed. • Must undertake driving duties as required. • Must comply with all organisational policies, procedures and legislation. • Must undertake any other duties as may be assigned from time to time. 4. COMPETENCIES: Candidates for the post must demonstrate that they have competency and skills in the following areas. Application forms should include one practical example which demonstrates these competencies. Interviews will be competency based and marks will be awarded under these skills sets.

Communication & 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 his or her 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 Mayo Fire & Rescue Service and the demands placed on members of the Retained Fire Service. • Demonstrates an understanding and knowledge of company policies and procedures (including Health and Safety) and the ability to conform with same

5. AGE: A Firefighter must be not less than 18 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receipt of applications occurs. A Birth Certificate must be submitted to the County Council as proof of age on or prior to employment. 6. RETIREMENT: The normal retirement age is 55. On reaching 55 years of age or sooner, if found to be medically unfit, a Firefighter shall cease to be employed. Firefighters who are physically capable of working beyond age 55 will have the option to continue working for a defined limited period of 1 year, subject to annual compulsory medical assessment on the basis of set medical standards under the Occupational Health Scheme. Such extended periods will be to the maximum age of 62 and, for the avoidance of any doubt, no firefighter can remain in service beyond their 62nd birthday, i.e., upon reaching age 62 years.

7. SUPERANNUATION: Membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme is compulsory for all new entrant Retained Firefighters who commence employment on or after 1 January 2013. The provisions of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme will apply in the case of Retained Firefighters, with the exception of minimum pension age, as an earlier pension age is applicable to those employed in the retained fire service. Circular letters S. 6/2013 and S. 6/2013 (amended) apply.