Fire Safety Advisor

1. Support the Fire Officer to provide expert professional guidance and support to Managers and Staff within Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust (The Trust) in relation to the risk management of Fire Safety.

2. To manage, organise, implement, co-ordinate and maintain full and efficient Fire Safety practice and procedures and carry out the Fire Safety training of all Trust staff.

3. To provide specialist advice to staff and outside contractors in respect of statutory Fire Safety legislation in existing and new buildings incorporating HTM 05 (Fire Code) and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, with support from the Fire Officer.

4. Responsible for ensuring and providing all Trust Staff has access to Fire Safety training at least annually.

5. To carry out Fire Risk Assessments and to review them annually. Prepare reports and prioritise action plans with regards to the 'Significant Findings'.

Main duties of the job

Support the Fire Officer to provide technical and professional advice on the management of Fire Safety to all levels of management and staff.

To act independently in the management of Fire Safety risk issues in response to those issues raised, up to and including the authority to require the cessation of work by in-house staff and contractors if warranted.

To ensure the implementation of corrective work in areas where Fire Risk Assessments and reviews have highlighted remedial work is needed or where Fire Safety risk to personal and property has been identified.

To have full access to Estates database to maintain and update Fire Risk Assessments and annual Reviews also to inspect survey drawings.

Carry out/arrange the periodic maintenance programmes for the following fire safety equipment:

Act as a support link to the Authorising Engineer (Fire) [External Specialist] as defined in HTM 05-01 and support the fire safety group including escalation reports to the Trust's health and safety committee, via the Fire Officer.

Seek advice from the Authorising Engineer (Fire) to inform and advice relevant parties, including supporting any proposed development and projects.

Is the deputy for all fire safety matters, and where necessary will report back to the relevant responsible Fire Director, as defined in HTM 05-01 including advising on corporate related risks to the trust.

About us

Our mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them so we are seeking outstanding people who share our Trust values of teamwork, integrity, respect and excellence.

On joining our Trust, you will be welcomed into a friendly and supportive environment invested in your ongoing training and development.

I would encourage you to read on to discover why you should join us on our journey to becoming the best performing trust in the country, and wish you all the very best in your application.

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.

Employer details
Employer name
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Dorset County Hospital
Williams Avenue
Dorchester
DT1 2JY
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