Retained Firefighter

Context: Local Government has undergone a very significant reform process in line with the proposals in “Putting People First”. The programme sets out a wide range of actions to deliver reform in order to address weaknesses, enhance effectiveness and accountability and improve performance across the entire system. The Local Government Act 2014 provided the necessary legislative basis to give effect to many of the reform measures set out in the Action Programme. The Act, together with the Action Programme provide the broad policy context within which the successful candidate will work and a focussed agenda which he or she will be required to lead and deliver on, as directed by the Chief Executive. The Council now requires additional members for the retained (i.e. retained/part-time & on-call) Fire Service. 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-fighter’s 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 ofsubjects 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: Action, serving the community, job satisfaction and training – with all this on offer working in the Fire Service is very appealing. 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. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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 asrequired; • 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 Louth County Council and County Fire Service e.g.; • Health and safety; • 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 1. CHARACTER A 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. 2. 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. 3. 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 Louth 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. Details about retirement age can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release . 4. HEALTH Candidates must: a) Be free from any illness or disease which would render him/her 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 Louth 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.

5. MEDICAL EXAMINATION Before recruitment, in order that conditions as to health may be ascertained, 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/National Occupational Health System for Retained Fire-fighters. The medical examiners will be nominated by the Council. A candidate must comply, with such remedial requirements as the Council considers 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 (details about retirement age can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release. A Fire-fighter who is unable to satisfy the Council as to his/her ability to perform his/her duties to the necessary standard will be required to retire.

6. EDUCATION & TRAINING A candidate must have attained a suitable level of education to enable him/her 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.

7. 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 are required to obtain a HGV licence (training and application paid for by the council) and undertake further driving training and instruction to enable them to drive fire appliances and other Fire Service fleet. If a Firefighter has their licence suspended or removed for any reason, they must immediately inform the County Council, and it shall be dealt with through the Council’s disciplinary procedure and may result in termination of service at the absolute discretion of the County Council. SALARY The employment is part-time and pensionable. A Fire-fighter shall be paid at the appropriate approved national rates of Fire and Retainer Fees

Retained Fire Fighter Fixed Payment €13,523 - €16,854

HEALTH & SAFETY 1. It shall be the duty of every Fire-fighter while at work: a) To take reasonable care for his/her own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions while at work; b) To co-operate with his/her employer and any other person to such extent as will enable his/her employer or the other person to comply with any of the relevant statutory provisions; c) To use in such manner to provide the protection intended, any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or other means or thing provided (whether for his/her use alone or for use by him/her in common with others) for securing his/her safety, health or welfare while at work; and d) To report to his/her employer or his/her 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 he/she becomes aware. 2. 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.

SICK LEAVE If absent on sick leave, the Firefighter must immediately inform his/her Station Officer or Sub Officer. Where a Firefighter is absent due to sickness for three or more consecutive days, they shall submit a sick leave certificate to the Council from a medical doctor. The medical certificate must be signed and state the medical practitioner’s Medical Council registration number, medical certificates are required to be submitted on a weekly basis in cases of absences extending beyond one week. Depending on the nature of the absence, a medical certificate of fitness and/or independent medical review may be required prior to a Firefighter resuming operational duties following a period of sick leave absence, having regard to the nature of the illness/injury and/or length of absence at the absolute discretion of the Council. A Return to Work Form must be completed with the Line Manager when a Firefighter returns to work after any period of sick leave. Arrangements for payment during sick leave will be made in accordance with the relevant Public Service Sick Leave Scheme in place, which may be reviewed from time to time