Job Title: Chief Fire Officer
Employer: Westmeath County Council
County: Westmeath
Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 12th February 2026
Starting Salary: €91,851
About the Employer:
Westmeath has a population of approximately 90,000 and is located in the heart of the country with excellent road and rail access to all four corners of the island of Ireland, Westmeath has a rural tranquillity but ready access to the country’s main urban cities to include Dublin and Galway in particular.
Westmeath County Council consists of 20 members who are elected every five years; The county is divided into two Municipal Districts of Mullingar/ Kinnegad and Athlone / Moate with the administrative headquarters of the Council located in Mullingar. There are also Civic Offices located in Athlone and Castlepollard. Mullingar is the county town while Athlone is a Regional Growth Centre under the National Planning Framework.
At a strategic level, the Council operates through its Corporate Policy Group comprising the Cathaoirleach of the Council and the Chairs of the Local Authority’s four Strategic Policy Committees. The Chief Executive and the Management Team play a key role in supporting and advising this policy group.
Westmeath County Council has responsibility for delivering a wide range of services in the local area with a focus on making Westmeath a prosperous county that seeks to support a vibrant economy, rural quality of life, active and safe communities, diversity, culture and heritage, healthy and sustainable natural environment along with a sense of community pride and place. The Council has a workforce of 600 and a budget of €129.5 million in 2026.
About the Role:
An opportunity now exists in Westmeath County Council for the position of Chief Fire Officer in our Fire and Emergency Department. There are four fire stations located in Mullingar, Castlepollard, Kilbeggan and Athlone. The Fire Service Headquarters is located at Clonmore Industrial Estate, Mullingar.
The Chief Fire Officer’s primary function is to manage the County Council’s Fire Service. The Chief Fire Officer will manage and administer an efficient and effective Fire Service under the direction of the Director of Services, or another employee as designated by the Chief Executive.
The Chief Fire Officer is responsible for the efficient management, direction and development of the planning and aligned functions of this Service on behalf of Westmeath County Council. The Chief Fire Officer is responsible for the management of a multi-disciplinary team and the efficient delivery of services in a dynamically changing environment where value for money is crucial.
The post holder has responsibility for the overall management and administration of Westmeath County Council’s Fire and Emergency Service Department, including Major Emergency Planning and Civil Defence. The duties will include responsibility for strategic planning and the implementation of any associated change requirements throughout the Fire and Emergency Services. The Chief Fire Officer may also be assigned responsibility for the management of any other relevant function(s) at the discretion of the Chief Executive.
The Chief Fire Officer will be expected to prepare budgetary estimates for their area of operation and to work within allocated finances to the best overall effect. They must have the ability to work across section teams and interact with other area/teams and with Chief Fire Officers in adjacent local authority areas. The post holder will also be required to have contact with property owners/organisations, Government Departments, the public, media, courts, as required, as well as interaction with elected members and liaising with staff/union representatives.
About You:
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms –
(a) Hold, in the National Framework of Qualification:
i) a degree at Level 8 in engineering, architecture, or other building construction related discipline,
OR ii) a professional qualification equivalent to one of the foregoing awarded by the relevant professional body,
OR iii) a degree at level 8 in science or technology related discipline including, physics, chemistry, environmental or computer science, information communications technology; or a fire related discipline including fire safety, emergency management or emergency services
OR iv) a degree at level 8 together with a level 9 qualification in a fire related discipline including fire safety, emergency management or emergency services.
(b) Have a satisfactory knowledge of all of the following:
principles and practices of fire safety
fire services operations
major emergency management
technological and industrial processes
telecommunications and information technology
(c) Have at least eight years satisfactory relevant experience, including adequate experience in the areas specified at (b) above and (e) below.
(d) Have a high standard of training and competency in the areas specified in (b) above, including:
Firefighting and emergency operations techniques and strategic command of fire service operations.
On-site and off-site coordination at fires and major incidents/major emergencies
Building design and management for fire safety
(e) Have adequate experience in administration, service management and management of staff;
The Closing Date for this competition is Thursday, 12th of February at 3pm.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
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