asked the Minister for Local Government why there are no standard and clear terms of appointment for chief fire officers on a national basis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Officers.
169.
Standard qualifications and conditions of appointment exist for the office of chief fire officer and, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, copies of these documents will be included in the Official Report.
Following are the documents:
Department of Local Government.
Office of Chief Fire Officer
Qualifications
1. Character:
Each candidate must be of good character.
2. Age:
(a)Each candidate must be not less than 27 and must be under 45 years on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
(b)The upper age limit will not apply in the case of existing pensionable officers of local authorities in the State.
3. Health:
Each candidate must be free from any defect or disease which would render him 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.
4. Education, Training etc.
Each candidate must:
(a) on the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office, hold a recognised university degree, or an equivalent qualification, in engineering;
(b) have had adequate experience in engineering work;
(c) have a satisfactory knowledge of water supply systems, principles of hydraulics and pumps, and building construction with particular reference to fire resistance;
(d) have had adequate experience in the control and discipline of men.
5. Subject to the provisions of section 16 of the Local Government Act, 1955 any woman holding the office shall be either unmarried or a widow.
The Minister for Local Government declares the foregoing to be the qualifications for the office of chief fire officer.
Given under the Official Seal of the Minister for Local Government this 24th day of April, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy-Two.
(Sined) R. Molloy,
Minister for Local Government.
Office of Chief Fire Officer.
Particulars of Office.
1. The office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. A person who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority will be required in respect of his superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of his yearly salary and emoluments.
A male who becomes a pensionable officer of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Authorities Widows' and Orphans' Pension Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1½% of his yearly salary and emoluments in accordance with the terms of the scheme.
2. Salary: £3,019 rising by annual increments of £105 to £3,544×£90 to £3,634. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies) other than his inclusive salary) payable to or received by him by virtue of his office or in respect of services which he is required by or under any enactment to perform.
3. Duties: The duties of the office are to give to the local authority under the general supervision of the Chief Engineering Officer, such services of an advisory, supervisory and executive nature as may be required by the local authority in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties under the Fire Brigades Act, 1940 in the area of the local authority (including any area that may be added thereto) as well as in any area in respect of which the local authority have entered or may enter into agreement under that Act and to perform such other appropriate duties as may be assigned to him.
The person appointed will also be required to perform the duties of Civil Defence Officer if they are assigned to him by the local authority. These duties will include:
(a) preparation of Civil Defence plans (in conjunction with other officers of the local authority concerned);
(b) recruiting and training of personnel for Civil Defence services (in conjunction with other officers of the local authority concerned);
(c) co-ordination of Civil Defence arrangements made in implementation of the plans at (a) above and periodical examination of the progress made;
(d) purchase, storage, maintenance, issue and control of Civil Defence equipment and supplies purchased by the local authority concerned;
(e) custody, storage, maintenance, issue and control of Civil Defence equipment and supplies issued by the State;
(f) such other Civil Defence duties as may be assigned from time to time.
The person appointed will also be required to perform such other duties of an engineering nature as may be assigned to him from time to time by the local authority.
4. The person appointed will, on reaching the age of 65, cease to hold office.
5. The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which his duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.
The Minister for Local Government approves of the foregoing as Particulars of Office for the office of Chief Fire Officer.
Given under the Official Seal of the Minister for Local Government this Eighth day of November One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-seven.
Patrick Smith,
Minister for Local Government.