[B]International Firefighter exchange to IRELAND[/B]

[uiscemac]

This is a copy of threads i posted in the general forum area but maybe i would have more luck here

Hi,
I am an irish fulltime firefighter , working and living in west ireland.

If you are interested in a 12 month exchange to West Ireland, and you are bringing with you a small family (wife 'n a few kids) then maybe our jobs AND our homes will be compatible.

A few points:

* I think your spouse would struggle to obtain a visa to work (at least to work officially). So if you are hoping for you both to work you will probably be disappointed. (i reckon that goes for most countries you would work in, not 100% sure. i emailed irish immigration offices today, not sure when a reply is forthcoming, if you are interested in asking for yourself their email address is visamail@justice.ie )

* I would consider most places (USA, Canada, Oz, NZ et al), especially somewhere within reasonable distance to a ski slope! (not essential). My wife is from NY upstate (saratoga springs) and we would go there too If you like surfing, countryside, easy laidback living, great place for kids, and the odd night out in the town then you will like this place. (also on the doorstep of an airport and cheap flights to many european destinations)

* My firehouse has about 60 guys, about 14 on each shift (9 and 15 hr split shift) everyone is really flexible with swops and time off or say spending the night in the house after a night out etc etc.

* You need to be fulltime and experienced for at least four years.(this is an exchange rule, not mine)

* I am not looking to exchange right away - prob ready to move 2012, it takes ages (apparently) to organise an exchange , apparently the hardest part is to find a suitable exchange partner- as well as taking kids from school and finding a suitable school for a 11 year old (my second kid is still a baby) etc etc so i am posting this early.

* you PROBABLY will not have to go through firefighting school again, i am trying to negotiate that your experience will mean you can learn the differences in procedures, scba etc etc, "in-house" and be fully operational in about two weeks (i know that sounds attractive because some exchanged firefighters are expected to go through full firefighting school!). Our fighters are first responder trained but NOT paramedics - so thats the kind of firehouse i need to swop with.


so if you are interested email me

craicmac@yahoo.ie

****************************** ***************
hello again,

i thought i would include this link to an application form for a fire fighter exchange to a canadian department - just to let you know whats involved.

http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents...program-f.aspx

the exchanges tend to last somewhere between 6 - 12 months, and while there seems to be a bit of work involved in making the exchange happen it has the potential to be a massively positive experience: good socially, good professionally in your career ahead.

anyways my inbox still lies in wait of a firefighter interested in exchanging jobs and homes temporarily and coming to see what its like to be a firefighter in ireland

For those interested how the exchange works financially i enclose copy of a section titled 'salaries and conditions' from the link i enclosed above in an earlier message:

Exchange Partners will remain in the employ of their Fire Service. They continue to receive
their own salaries whilst they are overseas, with continuing deductions (including mortgage
and insurances) as applicable. This arrangement can not be varied under this Program as
any changes to this will result in the requirement of different criteria to gain entry into other
countries and have tax implications.
Where rates of exchange vary widely, it is recommended that the two Exchange Partners
come to a financial agreement which will ensure the exchange is viable for both parties.
Ensure agreements are in writing and a copy lodged with your coordinator.
Overtime payment methods need to be negotiated by the employers and this is addressed in
the Deed of Exchange. There are wide variations in opportunities and conditions for overtime
between Fire Services.



So who is up for it?
It seems anything is negotiable, even wages!
If you know of anyone at your station with a few kids that may have a bit of irish blood in them and may want to go to the 'old country' or just someone with a bit of adventure in them then pass on my details.

thanks
mac

[uiscemac]

hope y'all had a blast on st patricks day - it was a seriously mad party here.

I had heard that NY doesnt run the exchange program.. is this true? even outside the city?

will someone from NYFD ask an admnistrator for me?? i would really appreciate it..

mac

[uiscemac]

also the link i offered above for more info on exchanges WAS no good so i edited it and put in another one
http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents...program-f.aspx
likesay its specific to canada but what it says would pretty much apply to most exchanges in the world, including my own fire house.

regards,
agus lá féile Naomh Padraig agaibh (and happy patrick's day)
mac

[uiscemac]

i received word from immigration services ireland that a visa would be forthcoming both for you and your spouse (or partner) if you were successful in your exchange application to come here and work at my firehouse in a temporary exchange.

happy days

mac