Fire Safety Advisor

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Job description

Joshua Robert Recruitment is working with the UK's biggest public sector health trust.

They are looking for a Fire Safety Advisor to join their team on a temporary basis, for at least 6 months, but could extend.

Location:
Dorchester, Dorset

Job Purpose:

1. Support the Fire Officer in providing 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 .

Scope & Authority:

1. Support the Fire Officer to provide technical and professional advice on the management of Fire Safety to all levels of management and staff.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. To have full access to Estates database to maintain and update Fire Risk Assessments and annual Reviews also to inspect survey drawings
5. Carry out/arrange the periodic maintenance programmes for the following fire safety equipment:

• Fire extinguishers and fire blankets.
• Fire alarm/ detection systems
• Dry rising mains
• Evacuation equipment
• On site private fire hydrant main
• Helipad DIFFS when delivered as part of the NHP programme

Knowledge, Training & Experience:

• Educated to a minimum Graduate Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers standard (or appropriate or equivalent Degree.)
• Experience in a specialist relevant setting/environment.
• Previous relevant experience in an NHS or relevant Local Authority setting.
• Current working knowledge of the fire engineering/construction industry.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of NHS staff, patients and members of the public using different communication methods including face to face, email, telephone, Teams and other 3rd party communication platforms.
• Able to communicate with outside organisations (Fire and Rescue Service/Building Control etc) be able to negotiate outcomes and influence decisions with others including negotiations with contractors and suppliers.
• Provide and receive complex fire safety information from local authorities, fire engineers and other specialists.
• Level 4 Fire inspectors Diploma qualification desirable.

Main Duties & 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 Trust s 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 Service s 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 Trust s 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

Working Week:
Monday to Friday
08:30 to 16:00, 30 min break early start of late finish flexibility
37.5 hours per week
6 months work

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