Fire Safety and Emergency Response Officer

NES Group Ltd; Wareham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

NES Fircroft are recruiting a Fire, Safety & Emergency Response Officer on behalf of a leading Oil & Gas Operator. The role is based on-site at the Wytch Farm Oil Field in Dorset, a full-time contract with potential for extension.

The successful candidate will provide specialist fire safety, emergency preparedness and response coordination, maintain fire protection systems, and ensure compliance with UK legislation and COMAH requirements.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent) and a recognised Fire Safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH Fire Safety, IFE or equivalent).
• Training and/or practical experience in emergency response planning and incident management.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• DBS check required before starting.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and improve the Fire Safety Management System on site.
• Conduct and review Fire Risk Assessments in line with legislation and company requirements.
• Support major accident hazard management through risk assessments, hazard studies and incident investigations.
• Develop fire hazard assessments and mitigation plans for credible worst‑case scenarios.
• Carry out fire safety inspections, audits and assurance activities across the facility.
• Maintain fire safety procedures, standards and documentation with industry best practice.
• Develop, coordinate and deliver emergency preparedness and fire safety training programmes.
• Support training and competency assurance of emergency response personnel and Incident Management Team members.
• Promote awareness of major accident hazards, emergency arrangements and fire safety responsibilities.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits and COMAH interventions.

Skills

Safety leadership

Incident investigation

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Risk assessment

Fire safety knowledge

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate

Fire Safety qualification (IFE or equivalent)

Degree / HND in Fire Engineering or related

Job description

NES Fircroft are currently recruiting a Fire, Safety & Emergency Response Officer on behalf of our client, a leading Oil & Gas Operator. This will be based on-site a the Wytch Farm Oil Field, Dorset.

Overview:

This is an excellent opportunity to join the Client’s HSE Team, providing specialist fire safety, emergency preparedness, and emergency response coordination support across a major hazard oil and gas facility operating within a highly regulated environment. The role is responsible for maintaining and developing effective fire protection systems, coordinating emergency response arrangements, delivering emergency preparedness programmes, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and company standards.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the site’s capability to prevent, mitigate, and respond to major accident hazards, helping to safeguard people, assets, and the environment.

This is a full‑time Monday‑Friday role based on site. Initial 12‑month contract with potential for long‑term extension.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Fire Safety & Major Hazard Management

• Develop, maintain and continuously improve the site’s Fire Safety Management System.
• Conduct and review Fire Risk Assessments, ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory and company requirements.
• Support major accident hazard management activities through participation in risk assessments, hazard studies and incident investigations.
• Develop fire hazard assessments and mitigation plans for credible worst‑case scenarios.
• Carry out fire safety inspections, audits and assurance activities across the facility.
• Maintain fire safety procedures, standards and documentation, incorporating industry best practice.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Develop, maintain and periodically review Emergency Response Plans, Incident Management Plans and associated emergency arrangements.
• Coordinate emergency response exercises, tabletop scenarios and multi-agency drills, ensuring actions are effectively tracked to completion.
• Support Incident Management Team activities and provide emergency response leadership during incidents and exercises.
• Capture and implement lessons learned from incidents, audits and emergency exercises.
• Liaise with emergency services, local authorities and other external stakeholders to maintain effective response arrangements.

Fire Protection Systems & Emergency Equipment

• Ensure the operational readiness of fire protection systems through inspection, testing and assurance activities.
• Coordinate the maintenance and repair of fire‑critical equipment and systems.
• Monitor the performance and availability of firewater, foam and deluge systems, firefighting equipment, detection and alarm systems, breathing apparatus, rescue equipment and other life‑saving assets.
• Maintain inspection, testing and maintenance records, and oversee specialist contractor activities where required.

Training & Competence

• Develop, coordinate and deliver emergency preparedness and fire safety training programmes.
• Support the training and competency assurance of emergency response personnel and Incident Management Team members.
• Promote workforce awareness of major accident hazards, emergency arrangements and fire safety responsibilities.

Compliance & Assurance

• Support regulatory inspections, audits and COMAH interventions.
• Maintain performance indicators, assurance processes and regulatory records associated with fire safety and emergency preparedness.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of emergency response and business resilience arrangements, driving continual improvement across the site.

Key Requirements Include:

Qualifications:

Essential

• NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent) and a recognised Fire Safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH Fire Safety, IFE or equivalent).
• Training and/or practical experience in emergency response planning and incident management.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Successful candidates will be required to obtain a basic DBS check before starting.

Desirable

• Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Fire Engineering, Engineering, Emergency Management, Safety Management or a related discipline.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. IOSH, IFE, IChemE).
• Site Incident Controller (SIC), Site Main Controller (SMC) or equivalent emergency management qualification.

Experience & Skills:

Essential

• Experience within the oil & gas, petrochemical, energy, COMAH or other major hazard industries.
• Experience developing emergency response plans and coordinating emergency exercises, drills and incident management activities.
• Experience conducting fire risk assessments, safety inspections and assurance activities.
• Strong knowledge of UK fire safety legislation, COMAH requirements and major accident hazard management.
• Demonstrable safety leadership, with the ability to influence safe behaviours and engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong planning, organisational, analytical and risk assessment skills, with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Excellent communication, incident investigation and report writing skills.

Desirable

• Experience working on a Top Tier COMAH site.
• Industrial firefighting and/or operational emergency response experience.
• Knowledge of hydrocarbon processing operations, fixed firefighting systems and emergency response equipment.
• Experience liaising with regulators, emergency services and external stakeholders.