OVER 100 people who were deemed eligible for jobs with Dublin Fire Brigade have been disappointed to learn that an external recruitment drive will soon get underway to fill new positions.
In March of this year, 120 fire service hopefuls had their dreams of joining the emergency service dashed when the fire brigade panel they had patiently waited on for years was axed.
The panel was made up of applicants who had succeeded in passing a range of interviews, aptitude tests and personality profiles to be deemed fit and eligible for a tough firefighting job in Dublin.
Finglas man Paul McLoughlin was fourth in line to get a job with the fire service but will now have to join hundreds, if not thousands, of others who will apply for upcoming jobs with the fire service.
Paul (32) emigrated to America for a time after the panel was axed and his dreams of becoming a firefighter were shattered.
“It’s a complete insult to injury to learn that vacancies will be opened up to everyone even though I was on the panel waiting for a job for four years,
? he told Northside People.
“I worked hard to earn my place on that panel. Even when I was unsuccessful the first time round 10 years ago I didn’t lose heart. Instead I tried to upskill and make myself as marketable as I could to get through the next time.
“I visited fire stations, I did a first aid course, I worked on my interview techniques and pretty much did anything else I could to make myself a suitable candidate for the panel.
“I wait for years and get closer to a job only to learn that the panel is disbanded and later, that new vacancies would be opened up to everyone.
“I’m disgusted to be honest,
? he added.
“All it would take is for someone in Dublin Fire Brigade to give those who were on the panel a call to see if we were still interested in a job with the fire service.
?
After the panel was disbanded Paul went to America but returned home a few months later when work dried up.
Despite his disappointment, he said he would still apply for any positions that come up with Dublin Fire Brigade.
“I can’t help but go for it,
? he said.
“Being a firefighter is all I’ve wanted to do for the last 10 years.
“I’ve proven I’m eligible but unfortunately now I’ll be competing with so many more people.
?
Dublin Central TD Mary Lou McDonald (SF) recently raised the matter in the Dáil where she criticised the move to recruit new firefighters externally.
“Dublin City Council’s decision to fill 53 of the 80 vacant posts within the Dublin Fire Brigade is a good news story for the citizens of our capital city,
? she stated.
“Dublin City Council management’s decision to embark on a costly external recruitment process to fill 28 of these 53 positions is not, however, great news for the 100 or so recruits on the Dublin Fire Brigade Panel disbanded earlier this year.
“The Dublin Fire Brigade Panel was a costly affair at
?¬300,000,
? she added.
“Why on earth would the city management embark on a new recruitment process before first going to the panel to see if these new positions could be filled by suitable candidates at no extra cost to citizens?
?
A spokesperson for Dublin Fire Brigade confirmed that it could soon be in a position to recruit.
“A deal has been negotiated with the trade unions representing Fire Brigade staff under the Croke Park Agreement and this deal is currently being balloted by the unions,
? the spokesperson said.
“If finalised this plan will achieve significant cost savings to the brigade, while maintaining the high level of service and will enable existing vacancies to be filled by both internal and external recruitment.
“The previous panel has expired but these people can of course apply for any external competitions.
?