Retained Fire-fighters

QUALIFICATIONS 1. Character Each candidate must be of good character. The County Council may make whatever enquiries it considers necessary to satisfy this condition. 2. Age Each candidate must be at least 18 years of age on the latest date for receipt of applications. The normal retirement age for Retained Fire-fighters is 55 years with the option to continue working to the age of 58 years, subject to compulsory medical assessment. Retained Firefighters will cease to hold employment sooner if found medically unfit to continue. 3. Health Each candidate must be free from any defects which would render that person unsuitable to perform the duties of the post and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. For the purpose of satisfying this requirement, it will be necessary to undergo at the candidate’s own expense an initial medical examination, by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by Westmeath County Council. Note the requirement to complete and pass the Chester Step Test detailed below. Given the strenuous nature of fire-fighting duties the medical examination will be of a very thorough nature. Please note that the following disabilities will render an applicant unsuitable for fire-fighting duties and will lead to disqualification at the examination.

1. history of epilepsy 2. alcohol or drug dependency 3. obesity 4. chronic bronchitis or asthma or other disabling disease of the lungs 5. organic disease of the cardio vascular system 6. diabetes mellitus 7. unaided vision less than 6/12 in either eye 8. inability to hear a forced whisper or conversational voice separately in either ear at 20 feet; 9. evidence of labyrinthine disturbance 10. a history of vertigo or an illness which would affect sense of balance 11. history of mental instability

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 Fire-fighters will be required to undergo regular and ad-hoc medical examinations at any time and an operational Firefighter must maintain a good level of physical fitness through regular strenuous exercise.Please note that it is recommended that Retained Fire-fighters be vaccinated against the Hepatitis B Virus and in this regard the vaccine will be made available free of charge to successful candidates.

Fitness Test Part of the pre-employment medical examination includes completing the fitness test. Candidates successful at interview must successfully complete the fitness test prior to employment being offered. The fitness test at the recruit medical is the Chester Step Test. The Chester Step Test measures aerobic capacity and fitness and entails a moderately vigorous level of physical activity. The level of fitness needed to pass this test requires regular exercise and the test pass level is difficult to achieve if the candidate does not already have a good level of physical fitness prior to the test. Medical examiners advice is that fitness needed for this test does not come overnight; realistically it takes at least a few weeks and often longer to appreciably improve your fitness level.

Residence Only applications from competent persons who reside and work within a reasonable distance of the fire station of the relevant unit and whose ordinary activity does not take them away from the town, in which a brigade is located, will be considered. General guideline: On receipt of a fire or other emergency call candidates should be in attendance at the relevant Fire Station within a reasonable time which is considered for each candidate by the Chief Fire Officer prior to the candidate suitability process and which is dependent on the location of the candidates residence/work relative to the particular station that the candidate has applied for the position. The terms reasonable distance and reasonable time is to be decided by the Council.

Availability Candidates must have flexibility within their current occupation and have permission from their employer to be available for attendance at incidents and training courses. Prior to appointment to any Firefighter position, candidates will be required to submit a letter from their employer (if relevant) outlining their permission to attend emergency callouts. Persons appointed will be required to show documentary evidence of both their work address and the address of their permanent residence prior to being appointed (a letter from your current employer confirming current employment address and recent utility bills, bank statements or tenancy agreement).

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, firefighters may be required to obtain a Heavy Goods Vehicle Class C Driving licence and undertake further driving training and instruction to enable them to drive fire appliances and other fire service fleet. Qualifying Criteria: • Only applications from competent persons who reside and work within a reasonable distance of the fire station of the relevant unit and whose ordinary activity does not take them away from the town, in which a brigade is located, will be considered. General guideline: On receipt of a fire or other emergency call candidates should be in attendance at the relevant Fire Station within a reasonable time which is considered for each candidate by the Chief Fire Officer prior to the candidate suitability process and which is dependent on the location of the candidates residence/work relative to the particular station that the candidate has applied for the position. The terms reasonable distance and reasonable time is to be decided by the Council. • Applicants shall possess adequate literacy and numeric skills to allow them to carry out their duties in a competent and safe manner. Applicants will have to undertake literacy and numeric skills test as part of the selection process. • Applicants shall undertake physical tests, including tests for vertigo, claustrophobia, dexterity, endurance as part of the selection process. • Applicants who are successful will be required to undertake and successfully pass a medical examination and a Recruits Training Course (3 weeks duration) without delay in advance of any appointment being made. • It is a requirement of a fire-fighter’s appointment that he/she qualify as a Breathing Apparatus Wearer within their probationary period. If he/she does not qualify, or if for any reason, is removed from the list of qualified Breathing Apparatus Wearers, they will be discharged from the service. • Applicants who are successful shall be prepared to undertake any Fire Service training courses deemed necessary to refresh and/or enhance their capability to carry out their role in a competent and safe manner.

Essential Requirements: Westmeath County Council provides a 24 hour, 365 day emergency response to the people of Westmeath and certain areas of adjoining counties via four fire brigades and a complement of 56 personnel. A Retained Firefighter working within this organisation is an essential part of a disciplined and well structured team which provides an emergency response to the community in which he/she works and resides in (must reside and work within a reasonable distance of the relevant fire station).

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated person, with a strong sense of community commitment and shall demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of: • Local Government services and structure • The structure of the Retained Fire Service • The operational abilities of Westmeath Fire & Rescue Service • The demands placed on members of the Retained Fire Service • Teamwork & group dynamics • Dealing with high risk, stressful and dynamic environments • Knowledge of health and safety within the workplace The ideal candidate shall also have a proven ability in: • Dealing effectively with conflicting demands • Acting on own initiate • Problem solving & decision making • Effective communication with work colleagues • Effective communication with the public • Service to the community, voluntary organisations or other • Active engagement with Health, Safety and Welfare within the workplace • Working under pressure within a structured environment • Adaptability to evolving situations REGULATIONS FOR FIRE BRIGADE PERSONNEL 1. Every member must report for duty with the utmost speed on notification of a fire call. The onus of arranging to receive call out alarm rests with members. 2. Fire-fighters will attend all calls if required to do so. 3. Fire-fighters may be rostered for duty in accordance with the station procedures. During a rostered period, they will attend all fire calls. The obligation is on the fire-fighters to ensure that they receive all fire calls during the rostered period. If a fire-fighter is unable to attend during a rostered period, a substitute must be provided, and the Station Officer’s approval received. 4. Where the Chief Fire Officer considers that a Firefighter is not fulfilling the above attendance standards which he/she considers reasonable in all the circumstances, the Chief Fire Officer will consider the matter of attendance under the Council’s disciplinary policy. Subsequent continuing failure to meet the above attendance standards, without good reason, shall be dealt with through the disciplinary procedure, and may result in termination of service at the absolute discretion of the County Council. 5. Fire-fighters will be required to carry a Fire Service Alerter, switched on, at all times and to ensure this Alerter is fully operational. 6. Every member must remain at duty until; ▪ the full duration of the incident and the brigade has returned to the station, and the equipment has been carefully and properly stored away, and the party dismissed by the officer in charge, or; ▪ relieved by another member on the order of the officer in charge. 7. No member shall leave his post unless the prior approval of the officer in charge is obtained, and no member shall relieve another member without the prior approval of the officer in charge. 8. All members must ensure that he or she is not under the influence of an intoxicant or any other substance to an extent that he or she is in such a state as to endanger his or her own safety, health or welfare at work or that of any other person. 9. While on duty, members shall use the clothing and personal equipment provided by the Council and same shall be left in the Station immediately after the cessation of duty. Retained Fire-fighters may not use such clothing and equipment save while on duty. Retained Fire-fighters must comply fully with safety policy and directives in force from time to time. 10. Firefighters are responsible for fire fighting under the direction of the officers and for the carrying out of such other orders as may be given to them from time to time by an officer either in writing or verbally. 11. Any member of the fire brigade who:- (a) Fails to carry out his duties in a smart and efficient manner, (b) Fails to take proper care of his equipment, (c) Fails to carry out an order from a superior officer given verbally or in writing, (d) Causes any damage to premises or equipment through carelessness, (e) Adopts a negative or obstructional attitude likely to interfere with the smooth and efficient working of the brigade, (f) Attempts to introduce issues which have no bearing on fire brigade duties, (g) Attempts directly or indirectly to intimidate any member into any particular action against his/her will, shall be reported immediately to the Chief Fire Officer who will investigate the matter. Any member found guilty of any of the above may be reprimanded, suspended or dismissed. 12. In the event of a grievance, fire-fighters will use the grievance procedures of Westmeath County Council. 13. In the event of breach of discipline by fire-fighters, the Disciplinary Procedures of Westmeath County Council will apply. 14. Any member of the fire brigade who is unpunctual at drill shall not be paid drill fees and where a member is absent from two consecutive drills he shall be liable to be dismissed. 15. Each member of the fire brigade shall while engaged on fire brigade duties at fires, practice, traveling to or from fires, and while on the fire brigade premises, carry out his duties in a smart and efficient manner. Any slovenliness or otherwise unsatisfactory carrying out of his duties on the part of any member of the fire brigade shall be reported to the Chief Fire Officer for necessary disciplinary action. 16. Each member of the fire brigade who volunteers for fire brigade service must be prepared to accept the many risks entailed and fulfil to the best of his/her ability his/her duty in the saving of life, the fighting of fires and the saving of property. 17. Each member must, in the matter of drills, attendance at fires or in other emergencies, comply strictly with the orders and discretion of the Station Officer, or in his absence, such other Brigade Member as maybe in charge. Any member guilty of infringement of this regulation will be dismissed. Generally, members of all brigades will be under the general control and supervision of the Chief Fire Officer, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Assistant Fire Officer or other appropriate officer as the case may be. 18. Applicants will be required to attend for interview at their own expense. The interview board will recommend a panel of suitable applicants and further vacancies that occur, within a oneyear period will be filled from this panel. 19. Candidates will also be required to undergo practical tests, to ensure that their ability to perform their duties as a fire-fighter is not affected by a fear of heights, confined spaces, or a lack of physical or mental competence. 20. Applicants must hold a current full Manual Class B Driving Licence free from any endorsements. Applicants will also be required to obtain a Category C licence within eighteen months from the date of appointment or sooner if required and be prepared to drive such vehicles as the Council may require in the performance of your duties. 1. The Panel The employment is part-time. A panel will be formed from which part time, permanent and/or fixed term contract posts may be filled.

2. Remuneration Remuneration will consist of an inclusive annual allowance together with hourly rates of attendance at fires, drills, training, etc., as listed hereunder. All payments will be subject to deduction of statutory contributions to PAYE, PRSI, etc. (a) The rates of pay from the 1st October 2023 as per Circular EL 02/2023 are as follows: Firefighter Service Allowance 0 - 2 years €11,769 2 - 4 years €12,751 5 – 7 years €13,963 8 years + €15,067