Deputy Fire Safety Officer

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000

Job description

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

We are seeking a Deputy Fire Safety Officer to join our Health, Safety, and Risk Team. The Officer will provide professional fire safety training and advice across Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, working closely with the Trust's Lead Fire Safety Officer and colleagues in other departments, such as Estates and Facilities and Clinical Teams.

Applicants must be experienced, competent, enthusiastic, dynamic, proactive, and forward-thinking in the field of Fire Safety. The post holder will deliver fire safety training and provide statutory and mandatory guidance and advice across the Trust to ensure compliance with fire safety legislation, ensuring the safety of patients, visitors, and staff.

The role will initially be based at West Middlesex University Hospital but will cover the entire organisation and work across all Trust sites.

Interviews will include a brief presentation and will be held on Wednesday 7th May 2025, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

Main duties of the job

The primary responsibility of the post holder is to undertake the duties of the Fire Safety Officer, in accordance with the Department of Health's HTM 05-02 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In addition, the post holder will provide healthcare-specific fire safety training and advice, devise and deliver statutory and ad-hoc fire safety training sessions. This position is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of our staff and patients. The Deputy Fire Safety Officer will collaborate with the Lead Fire Safety Officer to develop, deliver, improve, and implement fire safety training, to include:

• Annual Fire training sessions
• Fire Response Team training
• Fire Marshal training
• Ward/Departmental Drills & tailored emergency response simulations based on specific departmental needs

This work will also comprise the delivery of proactive work programmes of awareness raising, supporting risk assessments, audits and inspections in compliance with Trust policies and legislative frameworks. Please refer JD for more information. We look forward to your contributions in enhancing our fire safety measures.

About us

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Job responsibilities

Assist the Lead Fire Safety Officer to develop and deliver fire safety training, audits and fire risk assessment services across the organisation. This will include:

• Deliver mandatory Fire Safety training, Fire Team training, Fire Marshal training, and Ward Drills and Evacuation training.
• Provide professional advice, support and expertise on issues relating to fire safety.
• Maintain and develop specialist knowledge on relevant legislation and guidance.
• Support the Lead Fire Safety Officer to ensure the Trust meets its statutory regulatory requirements relating to fire safety.
• Provision, co-ordination and delivery of a robust site specific training schedule.
• Keeping a clear and comprehensive register of all training undertaken, and forwarding a copy of the same to the Learning and Development Team.
• Assess and renew the delivery and uptake of training and report findings as required.
• Support the Trust Lead Fire Safety Officer in the development, dissemination and implementation of the Trust Fire Safety Policy and associated fire safety management system. Work with operational managers to ensure fire safety local management aligns with the Trust Fire Safety Policy.
• Ensure the effective and appropriate translation of fire safety strategy into practical application by actively promoting fire safety.
• Support the co-ordination and delivery of audits arising from departmental fire risk assessments, proactively supporting departments with remedial actions where indicated. This also includes identifying areas for improvement.
• Be a positive role model, familiar to and engaged with both clinical and non-clinical staff, demonstrating high standards of professional behaviour.

Further details within the job description.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

• Recognised degree level qualification in healthcare Fire Safety, Fire Engineering (or equivalent level of experience and/or qualifications), or a Health & Safety related subject, for example the institute of Fire Engineers, NEBOSH Fire Safety, or Confederation of Fire Protection Associations Europe (CFPA) Diploma.
• Experience of fire safety enforcement procedures, including fire risk assessments, audits and inspections in large and complex premises accommodating a range of risk scenarios.

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.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust