Lead Fire Safety Advisor

Job responsibilities

The Fire Safety Advisor is responsible for ensuring: CHFT fire strategy is updated and implemented considering changing legislation and developments. The provision of an Annual Fire Safety report to Trust Board which details progress against actions and future proposed improvements. To ensure fire risk assessments and supporting action plans are shared with managers responsible for fire safety in their local areas to ensure corrective actions are implemented. They act as the primary contact with the independent Authorising Engineer as required within HTM 05 Fire Safety Management in Healthcare Premises To act independently in the management of fire safety risk issues in response to issues escalated and including the authority to require the termination of any unsafe work by inhouse staff and contractors. To ensure any fire safety risks are escalated appropriately and recorded/managed on the Trust Risk Register. To arrange and carry out fire drills/evacuations at agreed times in conjunction with the Departmental Managers/Health Centre Managers. A close working relationship with in-house Estates Manager and PFI Estates Manager to ensure fire-fighting equipment is always maintained and available for use and that PPMs are carried out on fire precautionary measures. Facilitate and support regular and ad hoc meetings, as required. To provide instruction and practice on the safe use of patient and personnel emergency evacuation procedures. To carry out investigations into fire related incidents and sharing learning to reduce the risk of a recurrence. To minimize unwanted false fire alarms by engaging with key staff and ultimately, reducing any potential financial risk to CHFT To ensure the Trust has fully up to date fire risk assessments pertinent to each location and premises. To ensure up to date records are maintained of those receiving fire training and fire risk assessments. To ensure the provision of bi-monthly fire safety performance reports to the Resilienceand Safety Group. To support the training of the Trainee Fire Safety Advisor. To give expert fire advice to the organisation with regards to fire in the development of services and buildings.

To act as the primary contact with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) ensuring: The Trust maintains a close liaison with local Fire Brigade Units and arrange for site visits /familiarization exercises to be carried out. The Fire Brigade is informed of fire protection arrangements, site and building layout andavailability of water supplies for firefighting. The Fire Brigade is informed about any special fire or life risk, even if only of a temporary nature, and that they are advised of changes in conditions or situations of any such risk. To arrange for the Fire Brigade's attendance at drills or exercises at least one each year for the larger premises.Equipment In collaboration with the Estates Manager, ensure that all firefighting equipment is always maintained and available for use. To monitor contractors and in-house staff to ensure such equipment is maintained correctly. To carry out selective testing of equipment as required ensuring fully operational. This shall include fire alarms and detectors, extinguishers, emergency lighting, etc.Fire & False Alarms In the event of a fire, attend site during working hours and when possible, outside normal working hours. In the event of a fire, to undertake an investigation as to the cause and, ifappropriate, put forward proposals to reduce the risk of a recurrence. To prepare and submit reports relating to fires and false alarms. To prepare ad hoc reports when requested.Team Working Work in conjunction with the Estates Department, PFI Partners, Resident Contractors and Site Managers. Attend and contribute to team meetings and training sessions.Managerial Duties There are no managerial duties required in this post. However, an engaging and influencing personality is required in order to fulfil the role.Financial Duties Ensure all fire safety related budgets and contracted services are delivered within agreed budget allocation.Managing Self To maintain personal professional development as is required in the role. Participate in regular supervision. Attend all essential safety training. Participate annually identifying, developing, and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal. Comply with all Trust policies, procedures, and protocols. Carry out duties with due regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunity Policy. Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary. Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times. Ensure maintenance of Professional Registration. Keep up to date with relevant legislation, technological and good practice changes. Maintain a detailed knowledge of the existing Estate. Regularly attend relevant courses and specialist Fire Safety meetings. Undertake all such reasonable other duties as may be required as part of the role.

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• Science or engineering-based education; or extensive experience of fire safety
• Certificate in Training Practice or extensive experience of preparing and delivering training
• Membership of a professional organisation (Institution of Fire Engineers IFE); the Institute of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO)).
• Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety or equivalent

Desirable

• Registered as a fire risk assessor with a recognised accreditation body
• Fire engineering/fire safety degree or other relevant academic qualification
• Corporate membership of other professional organisations (Institution of Fire Engineers, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health IOSH)
• Professional qualification in a fire-related subject
• Training in healthcare fire safety

Knowledge, Experience & Expertise

Essential

• Good computer literacy skills and ability to use Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Able to use AutoCAD.

Knowledge, Experience and Expertise

Essential

• Substantial experience of working in fire safety
• Ability and experience of devising, preparing and delivering training courses.
• Extensive experience of working across organisational boundaries to improve standards.
• Experience and knowledge of undertaking fire risk assessments.
• Knowledge of fire safety, fire risk management, fire legislation and codes of practice & fire safety training
• Ability to undertake fire safety audits

Desirable

• Practical knowledge and interpretation of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
• Understanding of fire modelling techniques.
• Knowledge of risk management techniques.
• Practical knowledge and interpretation of the Building Regulations 2010.
• Knowledge of medical gases.
• Previous experience in the NHS or Local Authority setting or a similar complex environment.
• Ability to assimilate, analyse and present complex problems, identify necessary action, make recommendations and ensure actions are implemented.

Communication & Relationships

Essential

• Highly developed and effective negotiating and influencing skills and ability to develop and maintain constructive relationships with professional and managerial disciplines.
• Highly developed and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly motivated and resourceful with proactive approach to problem solving
• Innovator with a positive attitude and willingness to take responsibility.
• Self-motivated and has the ability to use own initiative.

Knowledge, Experience & Expertise

Essential

• Experience of working with external agencies and influencing internal change
• The ability to concentrate for long period of time and prioritise and manage a varied and unpredictable work pattern
• Good organisational skills with practical and methodical project planning and ability to manage a number of concurrent schemes
• Able to satisfy the physical demands of the job. Occasional working at heights and in confined spaces eg scaffold or roof voids; Occasional moderate physical effort required eg evacuation of patients; Occasional moving of heavy equipment eg extinguishers and training equipment

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience in the application of Firecode

Communication & Relationships

Essential

• Ability to work across the CHFT footprint including community settings.
• Good team player
• Ability to work within a changing environment
• Willing to participate in continued professional development

Desirable

• Active interest in own self-development

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).