ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Retained Firefighter for Castlecomer Fire Brigade
Retained Firefighter for Thomastown Fire Brigade
Retained Firefighter for Urlingford Fire Brigade
PLEASE NOTE:
· FAILURE TO UPLOAD ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS I.E. QUALIFICATIONS, I.D. ETC., AT SUBMISSION STAGE WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN AN INVALID APPLICATION.
· APPLICANTS SHOULD SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT THEIR EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION.
· APPLICANTS WITH NON-IRISH QUALIFICATIONS CAN AVAIL OF THE ON-LINE RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDED BY QUALITY AND QUALIFICATIONS IRELAND (QQI) AND MUST SUBMIT PROOF OF SAME WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS.
· FAILURE TO FULLY COMPLETE EACH QUESTION ON THE APPLICATION FORM MAY DEEM YOUR APPLICATION INVALID (ANSWERS WHICH REDIRECT TO OTHER RESPONSES ARE NOT PERMITTED).
Qualifications:
CHARACTER:
Each applicant must be of good character.
AGE:
Each applicant must be not less than 18 years and not more than 55 years on the closing date for receipt of application forms.
EDUCATION:
Each applicant must have obtained a good standard of general education.
HEALTH:
Each applicant must be free from any defect or disease which would render him/her unsuitable to hold the office, and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
DRIVERS LICENCE:
Each applicant must Hold a category "B" Driving licence free from endorsement
RESIDENCE:
Persons appointed must live and work within a maximum of 8 minutes travel time to the designated Firestation (based on GPS navigation planner e.g. Google maps or similar as determined by Kilkenny County Council) to allow them to respond for the duration of their employment as a Firefighter. The Council retains the right to request further evidence, if required on the information supplied, for the purpose of verification of place of residence and location of employment.
A Firefighter shall notify the County Council in writing of any subsequent changes of residence or place of employment. A change of residence or place of employment that would place the Firefighter outside these limits will mean automatic termination of employment. The Council will check this prior to appointment and at periodic intervals after appointment.
Conditions of employment
Employment:
The employment is part-time and pensionable. The initial employment will be for a probationary period of one year (and may be extended if required).
Retirement:
A firefighter shall retire—
I. upon attaining age of 55 years, or
II. where the firefighter wishes to serve beyond that age and the fire authority who employs him or her is satisfied that he or she is medically fit to continue to serve as a firefighter upon attaining that age but not beyond attaining the age of 62 years.
A retained firefighter shall retire upon attaining the age of 55 years (minimum retirement age). Where they wish to serve beyond that age, and the employing fire authority is satisfied that the retained firefighter is declared medically fit to do so, having undergone the appropriate annual medical assessment, the retained firefighter may continue to serve upon attaining age 55, but not beyond attaining the age of 62 years (62nd birthday). Where a retained firefighter is declared not to be medically fit to continue to serve as a firefighter, they shall retire. Retained firefighters are therefore required to make an application for an extension to be made to their existing contract of employment, six months in advance of their next birthday, in each year an extension sought. Any significant change in a firefighter’s medical condition during the extended period must be notified to the employer.
Medical Examination, etc.:
Before recruitment, in order to ascertain the health of a candidate, successful applicants shall undergo such medical examinations (which may include x-ray and/or other special tests) as the County Council considers necessary. The County Council will nominate the medical examiners. The candidate must comply, at their own expense, with such remedial requirements as the County Council consider necessary.
An Operational Firefighter shall: -
a. Agree to participate in the Occupational Health Scheme for Retained Firefighters in operation by Kilkenny County Council; and
b) At any time, if requested by the County Council, undergo such medical examination(s) by medical examiner (s) as nominated by the County Council; and
c) Attend medical examinations in accordance with the frequency set down in the Occupational Health Scheme for Retained Firefighters as issued by the (LGMA) to Local Authorities
Any defects discovered pertaining to a medical examination will not be remedied at the County Council's expense.
Retention as an operational Firefighter will depend upon receipt of satisfactory reports by medical examiner(s) and to the general condition above as to health. On reaching 55 years of age or sooner, if found to be medically unfit, a Firefighter shall cease to be a Firefighter.