Description
We are seeking a Fire Safety Advisor to join the Estates & Facilities Directorate and support the delivery of a safe, compliant & well-managed estate across the Trust.
The post holder will play an important role in helping the Trust meet its statutory fire safety duties and protect patients, staff, visitors & service users from fire-related risks.
Key responsibilities include:
- Carrying out and maintaining fire risk assessments
- Supporting local fire procedures and evacuation plans
- Investigating fire incidents and alarm activations
- Delivering fire safety training
- Contributing to fire drills and exercises
- Providing assurance through clear records, trend analysis and reporting
The role will suit a confident and knowledgeable fire safety professional who can work independently, communicate clearly with clinical and non-clinical teams, and provide practical advice on fire precautions, evacuation arrangements, building works and Trust policies.
The successful candidate will need strong understanding of fire safety legislation, healthcare fire safety guidance and relevant technical standards, together with the ability to travel across Trust sites and work flexibly when required.
Job Responsibilities:
- Ensure there is compliance with all regulatory provisions regarding fire safety in all Trust owned or operated properties.
- Conduct a program of fire risk assessments in all Trust occupied premises, working to the standards in Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Health Technical Memorandums (HTMs), Building Regulations, British Standards and other relevant documentation.
- Undertaking overarching fire risk assessments in complex hospital buildings.
- Ensure all wards, departments and units have local plans in place detailing the actions to be taken in case of fire.
- Conduct a comprehensive program of fire drills across all Trust occupied premises.
- Maintain suitable clear structured records of all risk assessments, evacuation plans, fire drills and training.
- Produce and maintain structured electronic records of reports, assessments, drills and fire safety and emergency planning training programmes.
- Compile end of month and annual fire safety statistics, analyse and produce reports.
- Investigate all incidents of fires and fire alarm actuations.
- Formulate and deliver a suitable program of fire safety training to a workforce of approximately 4500 staff.
- Review with the Head of Safety and Compliance the Trust fire related policies and procedures.
- Support and advise the Head of Safety and Compliance in the production of an annual report.
- Advising and liaising with staff and management at all levels regarding fire safety matters.
- Plan, organise, conduct and report on emergency planning exercises.
- As required provide a fire advisory service to the Estates and Facilities department on new and refurbished Trust building schemes.
- Liaise and work with other members of the Health and Safety Team.
- Maintain an awareness of changes in fire safety legislation and guidance.
- Participate in Local Health Resilience Forums; Borough Resilience Forums and Regional EPRR Meetings.
Management Responsibilities:
- The post holder is expected to contribute to the review and development of policy and procedural documentation within fire safety and emergency planning.
- The post holder has no budget responsibility.
- The post holder will be responsible for purchasing relevant required equipment.
- The post holder will be responsible for determining the most suitable suppliers for procuring fire safety equipment.
- The post holder has no line management responsibilities.
- The post holder will conduct a compliant program of fire risk assessments and reviews.
- The post holder is expected to manage his/her own workload under the line management of the Head of Estate Development.
Leadership:
- Accountable to the Head of Estate Development.
- Accountability for the completion of fire risk assessments, fire drills, and fire training.
- Advising and influencing on all fire safety matters.
- Designing and delivering training courses for staff on fire safety.
Research:
- Required to interpret obligations as directed under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- Undertake surveys, and report on the impact of changes in legislation and official guidance.
Communication:
- Effective verbal communication skills.
- Proficient negotiating and influencing skills.
- Adept written communication skills.
- Ability to build and maintain constructive relationships.
- Provide effective teaching and coaching in all issues involving fire safety.
- Maintain a close working relationship with the local Fire and Rescue Service.
On Call/Unsocial Hours:
- Post requires occasional out of hours working.
- Post also requires occasional weekend working.