Recruiting firefighters for Clare town proving ‘a challenge’

BUSINESSES in Shannon are being approached by Clare Fire Service in a bid to encourage people to join the service with Clare Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly admitting recruitment in the town is “a challenge”.

Shannon Fire Brigade has been approved to increase its crew from 12 to 15, however at the moment there are nine at the station. A recruitment video, visits to businesses, a webinar and meetings with Shannon Chamber are just some of the methods the fire service has been using to encourage people to get involved.

Chief Fire Officer Kelly presented a review of the objectives of the 2014 Fire and Emergency Operations Plan at a meeting of the Physical Directorate Strategic Policy Committee this week.

He outlined that the “objectives have been achieved and exceeded in many instances. Clare County Council have continued to provide resources to its Fire Service in order that the service to the public is maintained to the highest standards, and the personnel that work within the Fire Service are provided with equipment, training and facilities that enable them to work in a safe manner”.

The review states that “a key challenge” during the lifetime of the plan has been the high turn over of operational personnel.

“This is reflective of national trends in the fire service. Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is participating in a review of the model of local authority ‘retained’ fire services delivery, with particular emphasis on the recruitment and retention of staff”.

The report outlined that Shannon has been approved an increase from 12 to 15 retained personnel. “This has not yet been achieved, however work is ongoing to strengthen the recruitment process, particularly in Shannon at this time.”

Green Party Councillor Liam Grant, who at a meeting of Clare County Council last year called for an urgent review of the Fire and Emergency Operations Plan, welcomed plans for 15 staff in Shannon, however he said he was “worried” this would not be achieved.

Councillor Grant, who is also a firefighter in Ennistymon added, “The equipment and training in Clare Fire and Rescue Service is second to none probably in the country. I go to a lot of training courses around the country and people are very surprised when we tell them the equipment we have and that needs to be applauded.”

He said there are still areas where there is “room for improvement”, noting that Chief Fire Officer Kelly has put forward a number of items to be considered in the next Fire and Emergency Operations Plan.

“There are a lot of great things that have been done by Clare Fire and Rescue Services, particularly around the equipment, training and stations which is fantastic,” said the councillor.

Responding to the councillor’s concerns about reaching staff levels for Shannon Chief Fire Officer Kelly stated the fire service has been working with Shannon Chamber and various companies in the area to encourage people to join the service.

A recruitment video was produced by Paul Corey featuring fire service personnel and circulated across social media. A webinar which had been organised “was not that well attended”, he added.

“Shannon is a big issue with regards to both recruitment and retention. We sat down with Shannon Fire Station before Christmas to ask them their views and to try and come up with a number of initiatives which we have tried to progress to get the public more interested.”

He said, “Unfortunately, the issue we have is not just in Ireland, it’s a European issue with volunteerism in general. We see it across every section of society.”

The service has given presentations to various companies and plans are in place to engage with HR managers in some of these companies, he outlined.

“We have a recruitment campaign finishing on Thursday. After that we intend to meet with companies on an individual basis to see what they can do to get people to join Shannon Fire brigade.”

He concluded, “There is no doubt that it is a problem, but it is not a crisis. We are having a challenge to get people at Shannon, and at the other stations we are losing and recruiting people as we move along.”

It was agreed that a new draft plan be prepared which will be brought before the members of the SPC for consideration.