Fire Safety Manager

Job responsibilities

• Ensure that the Fire and Rescue Service and Local Authority Building Control are informed of any work that may affect the fire safety of any building and that any modifications to fire systems are comprehensively commissioned and documented, and that site plans, system schematics and local Fire Brigade information are updated and current through dialogue and audit.
• Identify the Trusts status regarding compliance with current fire legislation and guidance, escalate non-conformities and put in place/recommend corrective actions and forecast resources required.
• To be responsible for strategic ownership of monitoring and reporting which can be used to demonstrate actions that are required and to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Lead the Operational Fire Safety Committee ensuring meetings are regular and documented.
• Liaise with Trust staff and others when conducting fire safety audits and fire risk assessments, compile standardised professional management reports as necessary and incorporate within the Divisional management systems. To provide support and guidance to the Divisions on compliance with Fire Safety legislation.
• To minimise the risk of fire occurring by establishing and maintaining safe fire procedures within a complex healthcare environment through delivery of fire awareness training and liaison, specifying fire warning and firefighting systems.
• Organise fire drills and monitor their effectiveness compiling accurate records of staff training and drills.
• Manage specialist investigations of all fire incidents, producing appropriate reports for the identified Board level Director with Fire Safety Responsibility. Record, investigate and report on fire incidents and unwanted fire signals.
• To investigate and respond to complaints both formal and informal in accordance with the Trusts complaints procedure.
• Maintain comprehensive records of all fire incidents and investigations ensuring that trends are identified, and that advice is given to the appropriate people for remedial action to reduce incidents.
• Keep records of all fire incidents and false alarms and ensure that fire reports are prepared in a timely manner to a standard format and where necessary issue remedial advice on the emergency. Manage the maintenance of fire safety records and the development of local fire safety manuals for Trust premises.
• Manage, lead and support the 24-hour emergency cover Fire Response Team delivering specialist training at regular intervals.
• Manage and supervise the adequate provision, siting and maintenance of firefighting equipment, life safety systems e.g. emergency lighting, fire safety signage and systems, ensuring all required records are maintained in a current state through audit and due diligence to confirm compliance.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to the Infrastructure Division for initial design input in the preparation of capital schemes to deliver effective facilities, which maximize safety and minimise revenue costs and risk.
• Monitor the adherence to the Trusts Fire Policy and work to ensure that the Trusts health and safety policies and procedures are adhered to. Specifically, to ensure that the activities of contractors working on site do not subvert fire safety of any premises through personal inspections.
• Prepare and deliver a program of fire lectures to all staff, to educate staff of the need to have fire safety awareness and through scheduled informative and constructive training promote the needs both to prevent fire and to be aware and follow the proper fire procedures in the event of a fire. Supporting the Training Department with maintaining a register of staff who have been trained and those requiring training.
• Produce, review, and update comprehensive fire risk assessments for all Trust properties and properties where Trust staff and patients work or deliver a service. Identify capital investment requirements to ensure full compliance with national and international standards.
• Ensure that there is in place satisfactory means to carry out the statutory testing of all fire safety installations and equipment throughout the organisation and that such equipment comply with the appropriate regulations.
• A sound knowledge and understanding of the relevant Building Regulations and Standards and their application and in addition those of the appropriate British Standards or equivalent regarding all fire safety installations and equipment is required.
• The use of computers, with appropriate keyboard skills to enable the use of Trust software inc. Microsoft Office and Outlook. The ability to prepare, produce and deliver power point slide presentations for statutory fire awareness training is required.
• Undertake complex risk assessments, carry out option appraisals and deliver a balanced judgment of actions.
• Ability to analyze and interpret highly complex information, make appropriate decisions and report back at Trust Board and Executive Team when required.
• To produce highly detailed reports containing an analysis of reported fire incidents and identify any patterns, trends, and recommendations.
• To produce an Annual Fire Report and ensure it is delivered effectively within timescales.
• Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, and often contentious information where a high degree of persuasion, motivation, training and empathic skills are required so that agreement and co-operation can be obtained.
• Essentially self-directing using the general guidance contained in Firecode.
• Formulate long term plans or proposals that may be difficult to achieve without extensive discussions and guidance to management.
• Required to receive and understand complex information and legislation and disseminate this to all levels within the Trust in order to advise on a variety of subjects relating to fire where persuasion, motivation and understanding will be required through support and management to achieve the necessary standards.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with other Divisions and Services regarding fire safety issues, working with all levels of Trust staff and PFI partners, across all sites and community premises, to ensure an ongoing awareness of fire procedures and policies, primarily through regular consultation and organized fire safety training.
• Daily contact with Operational Managers and PFI partners with regard to site access, road closures, building works etc.
• Regular written and verbal contact with building consultants, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Wakefield District Council Environmental Health, and Building Control.
• A sound in-depth knowledge and understanding of fire, coupled with the experience of how the dangers from fire may be reduced for the greater safety of patients, staff and visitors.
• Attendance at periodic private and local authority seminars and lectures relating to fire safety research and development in order that advice is available to management on current issues is required.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Masters Degree level or equivalent specialist knowledge and experience.
• In depth managerial, financial and strategic knowledge demonstrated through leadership or management qualification e.g., ILM qualification or equivalent.
• Qualification obtained through Specialist Fire Safety Courses e.g., Fire Service College or NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
• Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers/or relevant professional body.
• Current CFPA Diploma in Fire Prevention.
• Qualification in Risk Assessment and/or Health and Safety Regulations.

Desirable

• Training certificate in Healthcare Fire Safety.
• Registered as a Fire Risk Assessor with a recognised accreditation body.

Experience

Essential

• Specialist knowledge of Fire Safety Management systems and legislation.
• Knowledge of risk management theory and techniques.
• Experience of carrying out Fire Risk Assessments and managing the delivery of remedial actions.
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries to improve standards.
• Experience of preparing and delivering training courses.
• Experience of managing others, particularly experienced individuals.
• Experience in team working, managing a personal workload and the preparation of reports.

Desirable

• Experience of Fire Safety Management in a complex healthcare context.
• Experience of Fire Risk Assessments in a complex healthcare context.
• Experience of working within a PFI site.
• Knowledge of Fire Safety principles in healthcare premises including the HTM 05 series.
• Knowledge of fire related building services and engineering principles.
• Knowledge of Estates HTMs and HBNs.

Knowledge and Awareness

Essential

• A thorough knowledge of the application of current fire safety legislation to a range of premises.

Desirable

• Understanding of Fire Engineering principles and Fire Modelling.
• A working knowledge of Fire Legislation and Department of Health Fire code.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Demonstrate alignment with the values and beliefs of the NHS and the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Able to demonstrate an aptitude for problem solving using a logical approach.
• Ability to produce and present reports in a timely manner for a variety of audiences.
• Able to manage the fire safety budget.
• Ability to use judgement to decide on the appropriate level of technical involvement and expertise for a given situation i.e. Authorising Engineer (Fire), Fire Safety Manager, Fire Safety Officer.
• Ability to work with the Authorising Engineer (Fire) and develop a wide range of appropriate fire safety practices, procedures, and reports.
• Able to prepare structured and timely workplans for the delivery of work-streams including Fire Risk Assessments and Training.
• Able to collate extensive, wide-ranging materials into a structured Fire Safety Manual System.
• Able to support and manage the Fire Safety Officers in the delivery of their function.
• Able to use own initiative, organise own workload and delegate duties as necessary.
• Able to maintain a clear and objective approach in the face of multiple conflicting demands or hazards, requiring significant emotional effort
• Able to travel between all of the Trusts sites and premises, accessing all areas of the Trusts buildings and estate.
• Highly motivated and able to work alone without close supervision

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).