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 Ballina, Westport, 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.
 

QUALIFICATIONS 

1. CHARACTER:

2. HEALTH:

3. RESIDENCE:

4. EDUCATION, TRAINING, SKILLS ETC::

Further information is available in the Candidate Information Booklet available from our website www.mayo.ie/careers/current-vacancies