Danny McCarthy

Experience

• 

  Avon Fire & Rescue Service

  Jun 2008 - now

  This is a unique and interesting role as I essentially have two roles within one position.As an Operational response Watch Manager B I am in the primary leadership position of the shift and conduct all of the roles and responsibilities that I had as a Watch Manager A, but I am the senior leader for the shift and am supported by subordinate leaders.As an Urban Search And Rescue (USAR) Team Leader and Confined Space Supervisor my primary role is to provide specialist operational support at local, regional and national incidents including: structural collapse, open area searches, confined space rescues, rescues from height, major transportation Incidents, trench collapse and rescue, Incidents involving complex entrapments. There are a lot of factors that need to be considered both in a training environment and at an incident. I must understand the advantages and limitations of various types of technical rescue, using the expert knowledge of others, whilst ensuring a practical application of Health and Safety to best manage an operational incident. I must also ensure effective working and co-operation with other agencies in order to achieve a successful integrated emergency response.In addition to the command of incidents, I assist with elements of the strategic functions of the service such as developing, managing and maintaining an effective integrated emergency management capability applicable to USAR incidents. This involves Helping to develop, supporting and implementing effective emergency planning arrangements, in accordance with Civil Contingencies legislation. Show less A managerial day role within Risk Reduction with a focus on Children and Young People my responsibilities included interpreting legislation, guidance and other literature that has an impact on Community Safety, developing policies and delivering educational initiatives to support the work of the Community Safety function through programmes of education and engagement within the Service area, these initiatives included the Juvenile Firesetters programme. I also helped to shape the Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding procedures, ensuring the Service had robust procedures in place both internally and externally and provided professional advice when there were changes to legislation or local ways of working. I developed, planned, implemented and evaluated effective education initiatives for all key stages of school education, having regard to the National Curriculum and with particular emphasis on Personal Health and Social Education (PHSE) and Citizenship, with the main objective to promote and enhance community safety and life skills for young people. By providing advice and guidance to staff and managers across the organisation I successfully managed and co-ordinated specialist instruction and training for operational firefighters and other staff to enable them to deliver effective community safety education programmes to young people to prevent fires and protect the wider community. This work enabled me to establish and maintain strong relationships with the Children and Young People Services within each Unitary Authority and other stakeholders including Extended Schools Partnerships, Youth Offending Teams, School Headteachers and Pupil Referral Units (PRU), to deliver key safety interventions. Show less As the second in command on the shift I provide support to the officer in command and will lead in their absence. I have an added responsibility for the fire appliance its crew and any health, safety and welfare issues. I provide tactical operational support and leadership at incidents, in both command support roles and as an incident commander. I also provide leadership, management and development to support the watch and other station personnel in the competent performance of their roles and the achievement of the watch and station plan. Other duties include promoting fire safety and enforcing fire safety standards in public and commercial premises by acting and advising on all matters relating to the protection of life and property from fire and other risks. Lectures, exercises, practice drills, administrative work and other forms of training are an integral and on going part of the role. Show less As a Crew Manager I support the Watch Managers in the day to day organisation of the shift. Iinform and educate the community on safety, contributing to fire safety solutions to minimise risk to the public and take responsibility for effective performance, including supporting the development of individuals and teams in the fire service. I take charge at smaller operational incidents and deal with emergency situations in accordance with laid down regulations/procedures, acting where necessary as the Incident commander until relieved by a senior manager. I will supervise and lead firefighting and rescue teams at any incident. If required by the Incident Commander, ensuring that crew members are operating safely and effectively within the sector in order to save life and preserve property.I assist with the Organisation and delivery of the day to day routines and activities, allocating tasks to watch members, ensuring delivery and completion of own and team assigned routines to the required standards.I am required to maintain my full range of Firefighting competencies along side being able to supervise and coach/mentor the performance of the Firefighters, assisting the Watch Manager with the delivery of training, assessments, appraisals and supporting the watch members development. Show less

  • Station Manager Risk Management

    Jul 2022 - now

  • Watch Manager B & USAR Team Leader - Operational Response

    Jul 2017 - Jul 2022

  • Watch Manager B

    Jan 2016 - Jul 2017

  • Watch Manager A - Operational Response

    Nov 2014 - Jan 2016

  • Crew Manager - Operational Response

    Jun 2013 - Nov 2014

  • Firefighter

    Jun 2008 - Jun 2013