Careers

Cork County Fire Service is a Retained fire service. Fire-fighters are available ona on call system and generally have other work commitments outside of the fire service. The main requirement when recruiting Firefighters is that they live and work within a reasonable distance of the Fire Station. The position is open to male and female applicants. Though part-time, recruits undergo extensive initial training including a two week Recruit course and a two week Breathing Apparatus Wearers Course.

When a call is received for the Fire Service, the alerters for a particular brigade are activated and the Fire-fighters, who each carry an alerter, respond to the fire station immediately. Fire-fighters could be at work or at home in bed when called.However they are bound by the rules of the road when commuting to the Fire Station.

Cork County Fire Service recruit persons to the Fire Service as vacancies arise. Vacancies are advertised in the local newspapers and on the Cork County Council Website.

• An application form must be completed.
• A Garda Vetting Form must be completed.
• When a vacancy appears, interviews are held and qualified candidates are put on a panel.
• From this panel applicants are asked to carry out a medical to check their fitness levels.
• If successful an applicant is sent on a Two Week Fire Fighter Recruit Induction Course. Once this is successfully completed the new Fire-Fighter will become part of the on call roster system and will attend fires with the remainder of this crew.
• The new FireFighter if usually sent on a Breathing Apparatus Course within a year of joining the Fire Service, this must be successfully completed.

More about the work of a Retained firefighter…..

As well as responding to emergency calls and undertaking community fire safety initiatives as required, retained firefighters attend biweekly training nights in order to maintain competency levels. They must also ensure that their personal fire fighter equipment is maintained to the highest standard to provide the required protection at an emergency incident.

As a firefighter you will be called upon to tackle a wide range of emergency situations where your problem solving skills and initiative will be vital to resolve issues quickly and calmly. Incidents vary from tackling fires and rescuing people from burning buildings to dealing with chemical spillages and road traffic collisions. There are certain personal attributes that you will need to help you fulfill your role as a firefighter. They include confidence, resilience, adaptability, effective communication skills, integrity and a commitment to diversity.

The role of the firefighter is continually changing as new techniques and equipment are introduced. As well as responding to emergencies you may also be required to work on Community Fire Safety Project:

1. To prevent fire and accidents from starting in the first place.

2. Educating the community by visiting schools, community centres.

3. Advising people about the use of smoke alarms and having an escape plan available if a fire should occur in their homes.

Training and development

As a firefighter you will be expected to undertake a continuous training

programme by attending lectures, exercises, practical training sessions

and other forms of training to maintain competence levels. You will be

expected to take responsibility for developing your own skills and

ensuring that your fitness levels are maintained as the work can be

demanding, both physically and mentally.