Dublin Fire Service

Structure of the Fire Service

Structure of a typical Irish Fire Service and videos on existing roles

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Careers in Fire
  4. /
  5. Structure of the Fire Service

Click / Touch a Fire Service role to show more information on that role.

  • Chief Fire
    Officer

    Chief

    Fire Officer

    • Manages and administers an efficient and effective Fire Service
    • Has responsibility for the strategic planning and the implementation of any associated required change throughout the Fire and Emergency Services
    • SACFO
      Fire
      Prevention

      Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer

      (Fire Prevention)

      • Responsibility for Pre-Fire Planning in relation to licences, planning permissions, building enforcement, fire certificates, etc.
      • Processing of fire safety certification applications and petroleum licensing
      • ACFO
        Community
        Fire Safety

        Assistant Chief Fire Officer

        (Community Fire Safety)

        • Manage Community Fire Safety campaigns including the Primary Schools Programme
        • Give advice and talks on fire safety to all members of our community
      • Senior Executive
        Fire Prevention
        Officers

        Senior Executive Fire Prevention Officers

        • Leads a team within the Fire Prevention Section.
        • Senior Officers are required to have a professional qualification for example, be a graduate of engineering, architecture or surveying.
        • Executive
          Fire Prevention
          Officers

          Executive Fire Prevention Officers

          • Inspections of licensed premises such as public houses, night clubs and restaurant
          • Advise on and inspect major indoor and outdoor events including organised fireworks displays.
          • Assistant
            Fire Prevention
            Officers

            Assistant Fire Prevention Officers

             

            • Assess Fire Safety Certificate applications under the Building Control Acts
            • Inspect buildings for fire safety compliance under the Fire Services Acts
    • SACFO
      Training

      Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer

      (Training)

      • Organising & attending training courses including on-station training
    • ACFO
      Operations

      Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer

      (Operations)

      • Station, fire service fleet, and equipment management
      • Developing & updating pre-incident plans
      • Third Officer*

        Assistant Chief Fire Officer

        (Third Officer)

        • Attending operational incidents of sufficient magnitude to require the attendance of a senior officer
        • Act as a point of contact between operational ranks and senior management
        • District Officer*

          District Officer

          • The District Officer has many roles and operates at a critical management level in the following areas: Operations, Fire Prevention, Training, Eastern Regional Control Room and Logistics
          • The majority of District Officers work in Operations, where they have responsibility for the overall operational efficiency of the Fire, Ambulance and Rescue Service and the day-to-day manning of the stations
          • Station Officer

            Station Officer

            • A Station Officer is mainly deployed to take charge of a fire station or an emergency appliance;
            • Command and lead Firemen/Firewomen in emergency and fire protection duties
            • Take part in administrative duties, such as staff management and planning duties
            • Sub Station
              Officer

              Sub Station Officer

              • A Sub-Station-Officer usually performs a command function in support of the Station Officer’s role on the fireground
              • May take command role at less-serious incidents and takes command when the Station Officer is absent
              • Firefighter
                Fulltime

                Firefighter

                Fulltime

                • Typically in larger towns/cities
                • Work a shift systems days/nights
                • Undergo extensive continuous training throughout their career
                • Paid a salary (set amount)
              • Firefighter
                Retained

                Firefighter

                Retained

                • Typically in smaller towns and rural areas
                • On call 24 hours a day, 24 weeks a year
                • ‘Part-time’ role, full time commitment
                • Must live and work within a reasonable distance of the fire station
                • Undergo extensive training throughout their career
                • Paid an annual retaining fee (on call fee) and a per-call fee
    • ACFO
      Major
      Emergency

      Assistant Chief Fire Officer

      (Major Emergency)

      • Coordinates the planning and response for major emergencies with other principal response agencies and voluntary organisations
    • Regional
      Contact Centre
      • Project
        Manager
        • Executive
          Emergency
          Communications
          Officer
      • Senior
        Executive
        Emergency
        Communications
        Officer
        • Principal
          Emergency
          Communications
          Operators
          • Senior
            Emergency
            Communications
            Operators
            • Emergency
              Communications
              Operators
AcronymRole
SACFOSenior Assistant Chief Fire Officer
ACFOAssistant Chief Fire Officer
AFOAssistant Fire Officer
*Denotes roles that are in Dublin only

Role Profiles

Rachael Lee

Firefighter (Full Time)

David Gavin

Firefighter (Retained)

Richard Greene

Station Officer (Full Time)

Marcella Derrig

Fire Emergency Control Operator

Celina Barrett

Chief Fire Officer

Scroll to Top