Fire Safety Advisor

Job description

Job responsibilities

Standards of Fire Safety

To visit all areas of the Trust on a regular basis to ensure standards of Fire Safety are maintained.

To ensure that Fire Safety standards meet those set out in documents issued by the Department of Health and within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

To report all deviations from the standards statutory requirements and codes of practice to all relevant personnel.

To provide advice on structural Fire Safety for existing and new buildings and proposed alterations to buildings.

To inspect buildings or alterations following completion and certify compliance with the relevant NHS Firecode and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

To review new Fire Safety legislation and Regulations and, where necessary, provide briefing notes and draft policies and procedures for comment/approval by appropriate meeting groups.

To undertake fire risk assessment of onsite construction sites and advise if any issues or concerns.

Risk Assessment

To undertake Fire Risk Assessments and carry out regular reviews in all premises (both on site and off site) managed by the Trust and to prepare reports and produce action plans for the Significant Findings

As appropriate, implement the proposals outlined in the action plan and/or assist in the co-ordination/implementation of the action plan

Liaise directly with accommodation lead on external rented properties for staff use

Monitor the implementation of the action plan

Undertake Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) assessments when requested

Planning

Able to plan own workloads and priorities using risk information including complex activities.

Ability to prioritise workloads to deal with reactive emergencies and ever changing landscape of risk planning

Work with the specialist project planning team to enable delivery of projects in a timely manner, and identify any necessary additional resource required.

Training & Education

To give Fire Safety instruction, lectures and practical training to all levels of NHS staff, including part-time and voluntary workers

To provide induction training of new staff in Fire Safety and procedures

To instruct staff in the use of fire-fighting appliances

To give instruction on patient and personnel evacuation

To arrange and carry out fire drills/evacuations at agreed times in conjunction with the Heads of Departments

Liaison & Local Fire Authority

Be the Trusts secondary contact with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), maintaining a close working relationship and arranging any necessary site visits to be made by them (in the absence of the Fire Officer)

To ensure that the DWFRS is informed of Fire Safety arrangements, site and building layout and availability of water supplies for fire fighting

In the absence of the Fire Officer, ensure that DWFRS are 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 and Rescue Services attendance at drills or exercises

Equipment

In collaboration with the Fire Officer, ensure that all firefighting equipment is maintained and available for use at all material times

To monitor contractors and in-house staff to ensure such equipment is maintained correctly

To monitor the selective testing of equipment as required ensuring fully operational, this shall include fire alarms and detectors, extinguishers, emergency lighting, etc.

Records

To keep a record of all training visits made, drills carried out and Fire Risk Assessments throughout all the Trust premises

Maintain a register of all fire incidents and other fire related matters. Provide reports, as required, to the Trust and Department of Health, with support from the Fire Officer

Produce statistics and annual report as and when required

Make appropriate recommendations for future Fire Safety to the Fire Officer, and to minimise false fire alarms based on the recorded information, for them to escalate for approval and action

Fire & False Alarms

In the event of a fire, attend site during working hours and support Fire Team if deemed necessary

In the event of a fire, to support the Fire Officer in undertaking an investigation as to the cause and, if appropriate, 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 require by the Fire Responsible/Designated person

Team Working

Work in conjunction with the Fire Officer, greater Estates & Facilities team, Site Managers, Internal Fire Team and Fire Safety Group

Contribute appropriately to all aspects of the Trusts Fire Risk Assessment and training workload, thus helping to achieve agreed goals and objectives.

Organise, manage and attend the Fire Safety Group meetings. Deputise for the Chair (Fire Officer) when necessary

Attend and contribute to team meetings and training sessions

Facilitate and support regular and ad hoc meetings, as required (i.e. Trust Health & Safety Committee)

Organise and manage, with support of the Fire Officer, the Trust Fire Wardens and liaise with them on a regular basis

Personal Development

Keep up to date with relevant legislation, technological and good practice changes

Maintain a detailed knowledge of the existing Estate, as well as planned changes/developments

Ensure that relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is undertaken.

Regularly attend relevant courses and NAHFO meetings, to maintain liaison between Partners

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

Essential

• Degree level qualification or relevant demonstrable experience in Fire Safety auditing and compliance
• Membership of a professional organisation (for example the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) Institute of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO
• Training in Healthcare Fire Safety

Desirable

• Certificate in Training Practice or extensive experience of preparing and delivering training
• Level 4 Diploma Fire Inspector
• Diploma; Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
• Registered as a fire risk assessor with a recognised accreditation body

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Minimum 3 years experience in fire safety auditing and compliance
• Experience of preparing and delivering training courses
• Practical knowledge and interpretation of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
• Experience and knowledge of undertaking Fire Risk Assessments
• Knowledge of Fire legislation and codes of practice Fire safety training
• Ability to undertake fire safety audits
• Knowledge and experience in the application of Firecode
• Knowledge of risk management techniques
• Practical knowledge and interpretation of Current Building Regulations

Desirable

• Experience of working across organisational boundaries to improve standards
• Understanding of fire modelling techniques

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Highly developed and effective negotiating and influencing skills
• Highly developed and effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to understand and interpret complex data
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to devise and deliver training programmes
• Good adaptability and ability to prioritise a high workload
• Highly motivated and resourceful with a proactive approach to problem solving

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)