Louth County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Louth County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post, from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This panel will exist for 12 months and may only be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Essential Criteria

1. Character

2. Age

1. Education/Experience

• Be currently employed in the Retained Service of Louth County Council Fire & Rescue.
• Have completed a minimum of 3 years’ service in Louth County Council Fire & Rescue Service as a Retained Firefighter.
• Have completed 85% of drills in each of the 3 preceding years.
• Have completed three (3) Live BA Wears in each of the 3 years preceding or fulfilled the duties of incident commander where BA was used in a non-training environment. This may also be averaged out at a total of nine (9) Live BA Wears over the three (3) years
• Have “Fit to continue in Service” Category of Occupational Health Scheme (OHS) at time of competition advertised.
• Have no current Disciplinary Awards against, at time of competition advertised.
• Hold a full Category C Rigid Licence.
• Complete and Pass (50%) of Louth County Council Fire Service Written Exam.

2. Health

• Each candidate shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service and this to be demonstrated by having “Fit to continue in Service” Category of Occupational Health Scheme (OHS) at time of competition advertised.

• Must hold a full category C licence
• Must clear garda vetting, fitness tests & medicals to proceed to the interview stage. Fitness and Medical Standards will be judged utilising the National Occupational Health Scheme for Retained Firefighters.
• Retained Firefighters employed with Louth County Council Fire & Rescue Services and who do not hold experience to apply in the confined panel can apply in the open panel.

1. Attend a Wholetime Recruit Course arranged or sourced by Louth County Council, unless they have already completed a wholetime Recruit Course in the state.
2. Be prepared to accept and manage risks and to fulfil, to the best of their ability, their duties in the saving of life, the fighting of fires and the saving of property.
3. Attend  training courses or refresher training courses, off duty as required, so as to comply with national training requirements.
4. Co-operate in full with all Five Group Duty System Agreement (5GDS) procedures, including the minimisation of swaps and compliance with Time-off-in-Lieu procedures.
5. Comply with all current Brigade Orders and ensure compliance with all policies and procedures and SOGs as issued.
6. Comply with Louth Fire Service Grievance and Disciplinary procedure, the Code of Conduct for Local Authority Employees and all other relevant Louth County Council policies and procedures.
7. Wear all uniform items provided by the Council in compliance with the relevant Brigade Order. Members of the Fire Service shall be required to return such items on leaving the Service and must make good any damage to same not arising out of normal wear and tear. Protective clothing, helmet, boots, etc. will also be issued to each Fire Fighter on appointment and may also be replaced from time to time at the discretion of the relevant Senior Fire Officer. 
8. Maintain their PPE and uniform in a clean and serviceable manner at all times and also the safe keeping of any other items issued to them.
1. Carry a pocket alerter or other means of personal communication supplied by the Council, if required.
10. While engaged on fire brigade duties at fires, practices, travelling to or from fires and while on the Fire Brigade premises, carry out their duties in a smart and efficient manner.  
11. Comply with the Attendance Management Policy.  Any member of the fire brigade who is on sick leave must comply with Council sick leave procedures and the 5GDS notification process.  Any sick period in excess of two days will require a medical certificate.  A Final Fit for Work Certificate must be submitted prior to resuming duty for designated medical conditions. Both Certificates must be submitted to the Officer in Charge of the Duty Watch. Any declarable injuries or illness must also be declared under the National Occupational Health System for Firefighers.

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS is at 4.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 18th February 2025.  Late applications will not be accepted.

Have you:

• Typed and completed your application form in full?
• Supplied correct and factual information? 

• Forward any certificates, references or CVs with the application form. 
• Post hard copies of your application.
• Canvass any persons connected with Louth County Council or the Interview Board in relation to this post.
• Submit False or misleading information.  This may lead to later termination of employment.

• Submit your application by email only to recruitment@louthcoco.ie and put “Wholetime Firefighter” in the subject bar.
• Ensure you apply before the deadline of 4.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 18th February 2025.
• Check for automated response to emailed application and keep as proof of date and time of application.
• In the event of no response to your email application please contact the HR Section the next day.

Louth County Council