Fire Safety Advisor

The Fire Safety Advisor will support the Head of Estates (the Trust’s responsible person for fire safety) in the development and delivery of strategies, policies, and initiatives throughout the Trust which satisfy both statutory and mandatory requirements.

The post holder will establish effective communication systems and working relationships that engage managers, staff, and their representatives in fire safety. They will demonstrate skills in persuasion, motivation, influence, and negotiation.

They will act as the point of contact for all contractors working on fire detection/prevention systems. The duties of the post holder will cover all properties associated with the West Suffolk NHS FT.

Be responsible for the delivery of all fire prevention advice, mandatory fire safety training, fire workplace audits, and fire risk assessments for the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

• Be familiar with national and NHS fire regulations, especially on all matters relating to the Regulative Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005 (RRO). They will provide specialist technical advice on fire safety information and respond to national and local directives as appropriate.

Be familiar with Health Technical Memorandum 05 covering the recommendations and guidance for the management of fire safety in healthcare buildings. Analyse, interpret and provide specialist fire advice during the procurement, upgrade, and refurbishment of building construction projects within the Trust, ensuring that all information is relevant, up to date, and adheres to national standards.

Introduce, develop, and promote fire safety across the Trust at all sites and all staffing levels. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and Trust procedures and provide technical expertise relating to fire safety.

Monitor all equipment tests and ensure the tests are all recorded around fire alarm systems, fire fighting equipment & fire suppression systems. Physically inspect the Means of Escape throughout the Trust premises to ensure they are usable at all times.

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat, and support people in hospital, at home, and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit, and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients, and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety, and teamwork guide how we work and behave as a team. With nearly 5,000 staff from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyone's voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are. Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

The post holder will be responsible for:

Carrying out surveys, reviewing new technologies, and submitting recommendations after full evaluation on the latest technology relating to fire safety. Developing relevant business cases for the implementation of fire safety-related projects, the annual fire workplace audits, safety reports, and risk assessments ensuring that documents are maintained and updated.

• Liaising with other organisations to identify, benchmark, and where possible adopt, best practice.

Implement the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy within the sphere of responsibility and promote safe working in all aspects of employment. Ensure all Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) are up to date and complied with.