Fire Safety Specialist Officer

Job responsibilities

Budget

As a Specialist Advisor to the Estates and Facilities Directorate and the Trust, although not specifically responsible for budget control, the position requires commercial awareness specifically in relation to the impact on budget from their guidance and recommendations.

Responsible for identifying risk priorities, liaising with the Capital Projects team to prioritise expenditure and resources to support the service and maintain compliance.

Recommend prioritised actions in respect to fire safety improvements for Capital Investment with appropriate and periodic reporting on the state of fire precautions within the Trust.

To monitor expenditure against agreed budgets to support effective financial management consistent with legislation, policies, and procedures. Authorise payments made to contractors and suppliers.

Staff

Ensure that specialist training e.g. mandatory Fire Safety Training is delivered to Trust staff in line with the Trusts targets and policy.

Provide guidance and mentor staff with specific fire safety responsibilities as per the Trusts policy. Specifically being responsible for overseeing of the Trusts designated Fire Warden and Fire Response Team members.

Policy

Responsible for the development and implementation of a Trust wide Fire Safety Policy and Strategy reflecting the needs of the Trust, and, driving changes to reflect operational requirements and demands. Policy will be aligned to national guidelines and legislation.

The role will require extensive knowledge of Trust policies, local agreements and national policy including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the NHS Firecode.

Communications

Develop and implement effective communication systems within and between all identified key working relationships for the benefit of the Trust and to assist with the implementation of the Fire Strategy and Policy.

Assist the Director of Estates & Facilities / Head of Capital, Head of Estates in the development, dissemination and implementation of the Trust Fire Safety Policy / Strategy.

Work with operational managers to ensure that fire safety is managed in line with the Trusts policy / strategy document. Ensure the effective and appropriate translation of fire safety strategy into practical application.

Assist in the development of a strategy for reducing unwanted fire signals within the organisation and liaise with Local Fire Authority as part of the overall Fire Safety Strategy.

Assist operational managers in the arrangement of practical fire drills, recommend remedial action when necessary and audit the accuracy of staff training records and fire drills.

Advise on the planning and design of new or existing buildings/structures, with particular emphasis on specifications for fire precautions, compliance with applicable fire standards and legislation at both design and construction stages. This will involve liaison with the Capital Projects teams, Estates and Facilities staff, Capital Planning teams, Local Building Control and Fire Authorities.

Ensure appropriate measures are developed and maintained to control the activities of contractors working on site and ensure that their activities do not compromise the fire precautions.

Support and represent the role and function of the Capital, Estates and Facilities Departments on relevant Trust wide groups, and support and participate in clinical work with regards to arson prevention and fire-setting groups.

Take an active role in appropriate meetings such as:

• Risk Management Group
• Trust Fire Safety Group
• Project Team and Capital, Estates & Facilities Management meetings
• National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers or similar professional Fire Safety Association
• Health and Safety Committees

Key Working Relationships

The role requires the creation, development and maintenance of a wide range of working relationships to deliver the services, including but not limited to:

• Liaise with all levels of Trust Management to ensure fire safety is managed in line with Trust Policies.
• Attend and contribute to the Trust Fire Committee Meeting.
• Attend and contribute to the Trust Health and Safety Committee as required.
• Develop and maintain a close working relationship with the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Estates and Facilities Capital Projects teams in order to ensure that Fire Safety considerations are incorporated in all new schemes, upgrade works and repairs to the Trusts building portfolio.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Estates Department and appointed contractors in relation to engineering systems, means of detection, alarm systems and first aid firefighting equipment provisions and maintenance.
• To liaise with the UHL Health and Safety Service, UHL Staff Side and all other interested parties to ensure that fire safety does not conflict with or contradict Health and Safety requirements.
• Work closely with the Emergency Planning and Business Continuity departments in relation to emergency response planning.
• Build strong networks across other Trusts and external organisations with the intention of sharing best practice and benchmarking improvements.

Key Result Areas

Service Delivery & Development

• Surveying and reporting on the standards of fire safety in Trust owned, leased or occupied premises and on the adequacy of staff training in fire precautions.
• Advise on fire safety implications at the planning stage of all new building / engineering projects. Reduce interim risks by authorising alternative arrangements and approve condition / snagging prior to handover.
• Responsible for undertaking Fire Risk Assessments as required by legislation and for identifying fire safety risks within the Trust controlled portfolio.
• Assist and liaise with the local Fire Authority and Police in the investigation of fires and their cause(s). Keep a record of all fires, Support Managers, Fire Wardens in the preparation of Fire Reports.
• Monitor the incidents of unwanted fire signals from fire alarm systems and identify measures necessary to control and reduce such signals. Keep records of these incidents and keep NHS statistical returns.
• Provide fire safety advice with regards to the emergency planning and the impact within the Trust contingency plans.
• Ensure that the Trust is kept fully informed of all major developments in Fire Safety Legislation and Department of Health Policy guidance and the organisation and management of fire precautions which affect the Trust.
• Prepare suitable training programmes in Fire Safety and the organisation of fire drills or simulated table top exercises as appropriate. The post holder will undertake fire training at all levels and as far as practicable attend fire drills.
• Ensure that records for all Fire Safety Training and Fire Drills are kept in order to provide assurance of adherence to policy and that lessons learned are communicated.
• Carry out suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessments as per the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Firecode and the Trusts Fire Safety Action Plan.
• Undertake specialist Fire Risk Assessments within clinical and non-clinical secure environments as required. Ensure the dissemination and practical application of Fire Risk Assessments to functional heads and staff with specific fire responsibilities.
• Undertake specialist investigations of all fire incidents, producing appropriate reports for the Fire Safety Manager and the local manager with responsibility for fire safety issues.
• Provide a specialist role in fire emergency planning, the impact with security issues and the organisations contingency plans. Maintain an effective site fire tactical plan with Security and the Fire and Rescue Service. Ensure the availability, currency and dissemination of fire strategy drawings incorporating fire hazards.
• Maintain comprehensive records of all fire incidents and investigations ensuring that trends are identified and that advice is given to the appropriate parties for remedial action to reduce incidents.

Governance

• Assist in formulating Trust Policy and Procedures for Fire Management and assist in maintaining databases and documentation in relation to the above.
• Prepare and present, when required, Fire Safety Reports.
• Attend and contribute to the Trust Health and Safety, and Fire Committees.
• Provide interpretation and application of the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Firecode and other official guidance and legislation in respect of fire safety in NHS premises. Ensure that fire safety statutory compliance is co-ordinated and maintained.

Patient/Customer Service

• Identifying and prioritising all fire safety requirements necessary for the safety of staff, patients, visitors and the protection of building, services and equipment. Including, but not limited to the Local Management Procedures and Evacuation Strategies for both new and existing buildings, wards and other areas.
• Support staff in care, welfare and health and safety of patients and visitors in respect of fire safety.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours.

Training & Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Master's degree level or via equivalent specialist knowledge attained through formal qualifications and demonstrable experience. E.g. Fire Service College / Armed Forces qualifications etc; Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety

Desirable

• Fire Engineering / Fire Safety Degree or other relevant academic qualification Health and Safety qualification e.g. NEBOSH General Cert or equivalent. Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers or equivalent. Qualified Training Instructor

Experience

Essential

• Extensive Fire Safety experience. Experience and knowledge of ?Fire Risk Assessment ?Fire Safety ?Fire Legislation and codes of practice ?Fire Safety Training Healthcare Fire Safety (Firecode) Management experience. Development and delivery of Training courses. Thorough knowledge of training techniques. Practical knowledge and interpretation of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and associated Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 Practical knowledge and interpretation of the Building Regulations.

Desirable

• Project Management experience

Communication and relationship skills

Essential

• Highly developed and effective verbal and written communication skills. Effective inter-personal and communication skills. Competent report writing skills Able to communicate specialist and complex information to all grades of staff in the organisation

Desirable

• Experience of managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Skills

Essential

• Competent computer literacy skills and ability to use MS Office applications. Self-motivated and the ability to motivate others. Team player with a positive attitude and willingness to take responsibility.

Desirable

• Leadership and Teambuilding

Planning and organisation skills

Essential

• Manage and implement an effective Fire Risk Assessment Programme. Manage and implement a specialist Fire Safety training delivery programme. Ability to prioritise and manage a variable workload.

Desirable

• Ability to use AutoCAD Familiar with MICAD application

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs. All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential

• Thorough Knowledge of Fire Safety Legislation and relevant Codes of Practice, including the NHS Fire Code

Desirable

• Understanding of Fire Modelling and Engineering techniques. Knowledge of Risk Management techniques. Knowledge of Health and Safety legislative requirements.

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential

• Undertaking investigations using numerous source materials, evidence and statistics for: ?Fault finding ?Identifying System failures Good organisational skills Able to make judgements based on specialist knowledge of Fire safety guidelines and regulations

Desirable

• Project Management experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).