Ballincollig needs firefighters

Can you be the difference? 

That’s the ask as Cork City Council announced plans to recruit retained firefighters at Ballincollig Fire Station.

The retained fire service employs people from their local community to quickly respond to emergency incidents in their local area.

The station is operational 24/7 and responds to approximately 250 callouts per year.

Applicants for the retained service must fulfil a number of qualifying criteria including being able to respond to calls within a designated time by living and working within three kilometers of the fire station, aged between 18-55 and complete of a series of fitness and suitability assessments.

Full training will be given to the successful candidates and the roles are remunerated. This recruitment drive is part of Cork City Fire Brigade’s #BeTheDifference initiative, which seeks to recruit those committed to giving back to their community.

John Ryan, Chief Fire Officer for Cork City Fire Brigade, said: “Ballincollig is an area of rapid growth, and we are committed to ensuring the best possible service to meet the needs of that growing community. Our retained firefighters benefit from extensive training.

“There are people who live and work in Ballincollig who are perfectly suited to a role of this nature. Likewise, the circumstances of others may have changed, and they may be looking for a new challenge. Either way, there are people in Ballincollig who can ‘Be the Difference’ with Cork City Fire Brigade, and we invite them to apply for these roles.”

The retained fire service in Ballincollig has huge support amongst the local community.

Emer Cassidy from the Ballincollig Business Association said: “We are indebted to those already involved in the retained service, as they are the first line of defence against the worst case scenarios that homes, businesses and the community will face.

“We actively encourage people living in Ballincollig to consider applying for these new roles. There is no greater expression of community spirit than making sure that your community is safe.”

Cork City Fire Brigade operates the station in Ballincollig alongside the full-time stations in Anglesea Street and Ballyvolane. Full details can be found at corkcity.ie/recruitment.