Ok so how do you join Civil Defence.

Originally posted by DeVore
Redshift, you're convincing me but I have a few questions

1. Is there an age limit on joining CD? I was kinda suprised to find that there are age limits (quite low!) on joining just about any of the rescue/garda units and the army and navy. I'm 33 fyi.

If I am correct the age limit on joining is 16.

2. Whats the time implications of it? How much time will it take on an average month? do you get paid or do they cover travel expenses if you have to travel somewhere?

You can join on a voluntary basis where you can set your time that you do work and things like that. Travel expenses are covered if you are travelling in a vehicle owned by the civil defense.

3. How do you go about joining?

Just step into your local Civil Defense office and get an application form. (don't know where these are situated unless you want to come to Tipperary town)

4. Do you pick from the areas you've outlined in your other post?

Sorry what do you mean with this??

[quot]5. Do you get secret spy gear? No seriously I mean, do you get to drive powerboats etc (I mean you... not a new recruit )[/quote]
You will if you put in enough time. They will send on courses for this.

6. Any restrictions/ other stuff a candidate needs to be aware of?

DeV.

Not too sure about this.


Hope this help.

RunFree

erm, flog me if you wish, but tell me more about the civil defence (I know *of* it, just not about)

Ok Dev I will tackle your questions

1. Is there an age limit on joining CD? I was kinda suprised to find that there are age limits (quite low!) on joining just about any of the rescue/garda units and the army and navy. I'm 33 fyi.

There is a lower age limit of 16 too low IMO it used to be 17 untill recently, the upper age limit is 65 and members must retire and resign from the organization at that time save where special permission has been granted for a member to remain for a fixed duration after 65.

2. Whats the time implications of it? How much time will it take on an average month? do you get paid or do they cover travel expenses if you have to travel somewhere?

Training usually takes place on one evening a week in our unit it's approx 7:30 pm to 10:30pm on Tuesday nights for the water rescue unit and Wedensday nights for the auxilliary fire service. from time to time there are training weekends away and all food accomodation and transport is provided. also there are public service duties which are performed in the water resuce division we provide water safety cover at events like skyfest, slane, charity swims and regattas and things of that nature.

3. How do you go about joining?

Simply turn up on the training night at the unit and service you want to join and fill the the membership application form, an officer will usually have an informal chat with you to answer any questions you have and once your application is accepted by the officer in charge you are a member form that point.

5. Do you get secret spy gear? No seriously I mean, do you get to drive powerboats etc (I mean you... not a new recruit )

No spy gear but you will if you stick at it get lots of neat training and yes if you join a unit with a water resuce division there are powerboats our units has four boats two R.I.B (rigid inflatable boats) those ones are fairly fast and two D class avon inflatable boats which are a much smaller and relatively slower boat we mainly use them for shallow work like rivers and Slane concert as they can operate in just a few feet of water and can be manhandled into the water whereas the ribs are so big and heavy they must be launched and recovered on a slipway from the trailer. Unfortuantley both our R.I.Bs are out of service right now our main boat the really fast one went in for a service recently as it was seriously down on power last time we used it and it was discovered that there was a crack in the engine block so we are now fighting tooth and nail to have it repaired ASAP the other boats trailer was deemed to be unroadworthy so we are not allowed to use it we are supposed to be getting a new trailer for that soon though I will belive it when I see it coz it's the city council we are dealing with and they are slow to get things sorted. So we only have the two small boats that are in operation right now fortunatley they are due for replacement this year as they have a 10 year lifespan and we have them 9 years now and they are starting to show their age though they have serviced us well over the years with many thousands of hours on both of them.

6. Any restrictions/ other stuff a candidate needs to be aware of?

Generally Civil Defence is more relaxed and informal than the Army though it has a rank structure.

Which runs as follows

Probationary
Volunteer
Asst Leader
Leader <

---

My current rank
3rd officer
2nd officer
1st officer
commander
Commandant

Only Commandant is a commisioned rank they are full time paid employees.

Members do not have to sign up for a minimum period and are free to resign at any time though they are expected to turn up for training and duties if they are available. Other than that it's alot of fun it can be a bit of a thankless job sometimes especially when dealing with the public in last years Skyfest I got a coin in the head from some kind individual on the quay side, left a nice bruise too (we have helemets now)

As a volunteer you do not get paid though transportation and food are provided except for training nights you have to make your own way there and back thoug if someone is going your way or close to it you will usually get a lift I usually end up dropping a coulple of people home after training.

Hope that answers your questions and if you or anybody else has any more let me know./

Cheers

Ryan