Job Summary
* To provide expert professional guidance and support to Managers and Staff within Dorset County NHS Foundation Trust in relation to the risk management of fire safety.
* To manage, organise, implement, co-ordinate and maintain full and efficient fire prevention, fire precautions and the training of staff in all premises managed by the Trust.
* To provide specialist advice to design consultants and/or colleagues in respect of statutory structural fire safety in existing and new buildings incorporating HTM 05 (Fire Code) requirements.
* Responsible for ensuring and providing all Trust Staff has access to Fire Safety training.
* To provide expert professional advice on the application and interpretation of fire safety legislation and to give fire safety guidance and support across the Trust, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the suite of NHS HTM fire codes.
* To carry out full and comprehensive Fire Risk Assessments and regular Reviews of all Trust properties.
* To be responsible for ensuring and providing all Trust Staff and Volunteers have access to Fire Safety Training at least annually.
The post holder will be guided by broad occupational policies and regulations when undertaking this role and work independently to decide how results are best achieved.
Main duties of the job
* Provide technical and professional advice on the management of fire safety to all levels of management, staff and design consultants.
* To act independently in the management of fire safety risk issues in response to 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 have highlighted remedial work is needed or where fire safety risk to personal and property has been identified.
* Full access to Estates and Facilities property database to maintain and update risk registers for Fire Safety Risk Assessments including Measured Survey Drawings.
About Us
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
Date posted: 14 March 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 405-25-EA147FIR
Job locations: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY
Job Description
Job responsibilities
* Provide technical and professional advice on the management of fire safety to all levels of management, staff and design consultants.
* To act independently in the management of fire safety risk issues in response to 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 have highlighted remedial work is needed or where fire safety risk to personal and property has been identified.
* Full access to Estates and Facilities property database to maintain and update risk registers for Fire Safety Risk Assessments including Measured Survey Drawings.
KNOWLEDGE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
* Educated to Graduate of the Institution of Fire Engineers or European Diploma or other appropriate equivalent.
* Experience in a specialist relevant fire safety setting/environment.
* Previous relevant experience in an NHS or 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.
* Able to communicate with outside organisations (Fire and Rescue Service/Building Control etc).
Standards of Fire Safety
* To visit all areas of the Trust on a regular basis to ensure standards of Fire Safety is 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.
Risk Assessment
* To undertake Fire Risk Assessments and carry out regular reviews in all premises managed by the Trusts 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.
* Monitor the implementation of the action plan.
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 primary contact with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.
* To maintain a close liaison with local Fire and Rescue Service Units and arrange for site visits to be made by them.
* To ensure that the Fire and Rescue Service is informed of Fire Safety arrangements, site and building layout and availability of water supplies for fire fighting.
* To ensure that the Fire and Rescue Service is 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 Estates team, ensure that all firefighting equipment is maintained and available for use always.
* To monitor contractors and in-house staff to ensure such equipment is maintained.
* 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.
* Produce statistics and annual report as required.
* Make appropriate recommendations for future Fire Safety, and to minimise false fire alarms based on the recorded information.
Fire & False Alarms
* In the event of a fire, attend site during working hours and outside normal working hours.
* In the event of a fire, to undertake 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 required by the Fire Safety Manager.
Team Working
* Work in conjunction with the Estates Department, Housekeeping and Portering staff, Site Managers, Internal Fire Team, and Fire Safety Committee.
* 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 Committee meetings.
* 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 The Trust Fire Wardens and to 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.
* Regularly attend relevant courses and South West Region Fire Safety Advisors meetings.
KEY RESULT AREAS
Responsibility for Patients
* To assist patients during incidental contact whilst providing fire safety training.
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development
* To develop and implement new and revised policies in respect to fire safety and contribute to procedures which impact on fire safety in other areas than own department.
Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources
* To authorise payments to contractors and suppliers associated with fire equipment and manage contractors.
* To specify and competitively tender, procure fire related service and maintenance contracts and services.
Responsibility for Staff
* To provide and develop and deliver fire safety training to all levels of staff and volunteers using a range of training methods.
* To provide induction training of new staff in fire precautions and procedures.
* To instruct staff in fire precautions, use of fire equipment and all other protection methods.
* To manage and promote specialist training to Fire Wardens, Switchboard Staff, Porters and other staff who have a specific role in responding to fire incidents.
* To provide personal evacuation plans for selected staff or volunteers.
* To arrange and carry out fire drills / evacuations at agreed times. This will include ward evacuations.
Responsibility for Information Resources
* To maintain a register of all fire incidents and other fire related matters.
* Maintain the departments databases and spreadsheets data relating to fire precautions.
* Provide escalation reports for the fire safety Group.
Responsibility for Research and Development
* To undertake surveys or audits as necessary to your own work.
* To provide and develop and deliver fire safety training to all levels of staff and volunteers using a range of training methods.
* To provide induction training of new staff in fire precautions and procedures.
* To instruct staff in fire precautions, use of fire equipment and all other protection methods.
* To manage and promote specialist training to Fire Wardens, Switchboard Staff, Porters and other staff who have a specific role in responding to fire incidents.
* To provide personal evacuation plans for selected staff or volunteers.
* To arrange and carry out fire drills / evacuations at agreed times. This will include ward evacuations.
* Regularly undertakes equipment testing and/or provides support to in-house teams and contractors.
* Keep up to date with relevant legislation, technological and good practice changes.
Planning & Organisation Skills
* Good organisational skills with practical and methodical project planning and ability to manage a number of concurrent schemes.
* Ability to assimilate, analyse and present complex problems, identify necessary action, make recommendations, and ensure actions are implemented.
Physical Skills
* Able to satisfy the physical demands of the job.
* Occasional working at heights and in confined spaces e.g. scaffold or roof voids.
* Occasional moderate physical effort required as duties dictate. e.g. evacuation of patients.
* Occasional moving of heavy equipment, e.g extinguishers, training equipment.
Analytical & Judgement Skills
* Good organisational skills with practical and methodical project planning and ability to manage a number of concurrent schemes Planning & Organisational Skills.
* Ability to assimilate, analyse and present complex problems, identify necessary action, make recommendations, and ensure actions are implemented.
Person Specification
Essential
* Science or engineering-based education; or extensive experience of fire safety.
* Fire engineering/fire safety degree or other relevant academic qualification.
* Training in Healthcare Fire Safety.
* Diploma; Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Desirable
* Certificate in Training Practice or extensive experience of preparing and delivering training.
* Membership of a professional organisation (for example the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), Institute of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO)).
* Corporate membership of professional organisation (Institution of Fire Engineers; Institute of Occupational Safety and Health).
* Registered as a fire risk assessor with a recognised accreditation body.
* Professional qualification in a fire related subject for example: Confederation of Fire Protection Associations Europe (CFPA).
Essential
* Several years' experience in fire safety in a healthcare environment.
* Experience in fire safety in a healthcare environment.
* Experience of working across organisational boundaries to improve standards.
* Practical knowledge and interpretation of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
* Experience and knowledge of undertaking Fire Risk Assessments.
* Knowledge of: Fire safety, Fire risk management, Fire legislation and codes of practice, Fire safety training.
* Knowledge and experience in the application of Firecode.
* Knowledge of risk management techniques.
* Practical knowledge and interpretation of the current Building Regulations and associated Fire related BS EN.
Desirable
* Experience of preparing and delivering training courses.
* Ability to undertake fire safety audits.
* Knowledge of medical gasses.
* Understanding of fire modelling techniques.
Essential
* Highly developed and effective negotiating and influencing skills and ability to develop and maintain constructive relationships with professional and managerial disciplines.
* Highly developed and effective verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to assimilate, analyse and present complex problems, identify necessary action, make recommendations and ensure actions are implemented.
* Good organisational skills with practical and methodical project planning and ability to manage a number of concurrent schemes.
* The ability to concentrate for long periods of time and prioritise and manage a varied and unpredictable work pattern.
Desirable
* Ability to devise and deliver training programmes.
* Innovator with a positive attitude and willingness to take responsibility.
* Good team player.
* Ability to work within a changing environment.
* Willingness to participate in continued professional development.
* Active interest in own self development.
* General computer literacy skills and ability to use Microsoft Office Applications and others.
* Highly motivated and resourceful with a proactive approach to problem solving. Ability to use own initiative.
* Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer details
Employer name: Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY
Employer's website: DCHFT Website #J-18808-Ljbffr