Fire Safety Coordinator

NHS; Dartford; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Dartford seeks a dedicated fire safety professional to enhance fire safety culture and compliance. The role involves supporting the fire safety manager, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring adherence to fire safety legislation. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and experience in fire safety management, along with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Join a diverse team committed to excellence in patient care and safety.

Qualifications

• Recognised qualifications relating to fire safety.
• Evidence of ongoing knowledge attainment in fire safety.

Responsibilities

• Support fire safety manager in policy development and compliance.
• Deliver fire risk assessments and manage corporate fire safety records.
• Provide fire safety training for all staff.

Skills

Communication

Team management

Interpersonal skills

IT skills

Education

Level 4 Diploma Fire Risk Assessment

Fire safety or fire engineering degree

Membership of a professional fire organisation

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

The post holder will work as a core member of the fire safety team to develop and maintain a fire safety culture and environment which will reduce the risk of harm to patients, staff and visitors. This includes the delivery of proactive work programmes of awareness raising, risk assessments and inspections in compliance with legislative frameworks.

They will work to ensure that the Trust's fire safety activities reflect national and local guidance and initiatives in relation to fire safety requirements. The post holder will work with the fire safety manager to provide assurance that the Trust is meeting statutory and regulatory requirements relating to these functions and where there are gaps these are clearly and robustly articulated in reports and forward mitigation plans for delivery.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the fire safety manager to ensure that appropriate policies, procedures, systems and arrangements are in place to support fire safety and that robust governance processes are in place to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of compliance within and across the Trust. This includes the prioritisation of fire safety improvement works.

The post holder will support the fire safety manager in relation to fire safety issues with specific reference to the NHS Firecode standards and the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Job responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities:

Provide professional advice and support on issues relating to fire safety. Maintain and develop specialist knowledge on relevant legislation and guidance.

Support the Trust fire safety manager in the development, dissemination and implementation of the Trust Fire Safety Policy and associated fire safety management system. Work with operational managers to ensure that fire safety is managed in line with the Trust Fire Safety Policy.

Provide the interpretation and application of the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Building Regulations Approved Document B, HTM Firecode, Trust Fire Safety Policy and other official guidance and legislation in respect of fire safety in NHS premises. Ensure fire safety statutory compliance is co-ordinated and maintained.

Deliver the Trust Fire safety management system to provide for fire safety assurance and the development of a longer term fire safety strategic objectives.

Deliver the programme of fire risk assessments of premises as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Undertake or lead fire risk assessments including within specialist areas as required. Ensure the dissemination and practical application of fire risk assessments to operational leads and staff with specific fire responsibilities. Ensure robust tracking of actions required from fire risk assessments is in place

Manage the maintenance of corporate fire safety records and the development of local fire safety manuals for Trust premises

Ensure departmental Teams maintain an up to date and sufficient fire response plan

Co-ordinate fire safety advice on the interpretation and implementation of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Building Regulations Approved Document B, HTM Firecode, and provide fire safety advice and assistance to other employers where two or more of their staff share Trust premises

Support the fire safety manager with the preparation of fire safety reports and audits in accordance with agreed schedules for Trust Committees including at Board level. Co-ordinate the implementation of actions and audit findings, and monitor and report on progress. Make recommendations for policy changes to ensure ongoing effectiveness across all Trust services and functions.

Deliver mandatory fire safety and evacuation training programme for all staff employed by the Trust and regular users of premises. Assess and renew the delivery and uptake of training and report findings as required.

Please see attached job description for further information.

Person Specification

Education and Training

• Recognised qualifications relating to fire safety (e.g. level 4 Diploma Fire Risk assessment) or equivalent experience
• Evidence of ongoing knowledge attainment including CPD and training in fire safety
• Fire safety or fire engineering degree
• Membership of a professional fire organisation

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Team management, development and building skills
• Ability to liaise with external agencies i.e., Fire and Rescue Services, Health & Safety Executive, Local Authority Planners
• Able to build constructive relationships using good communication skills
• Self-motivating: persuasiveness, influencing and interpersonal skills
• Experience in report writing and presentation skills
• Ability to deliver fire training programmes based on risk and legislative compliance
• IT skills e.g. Microsoft 365 and other systems

Experience

• Experience in providing technical direction with regard to fire safety management
• Experience of managing and ensuring building compliance according to fire safety regulations, professional guidance and good practice
• Experience of undertaking relevant audits/inspection, fire risk assessments and provide solutions
• Experience of arranging and delivering fire safety training to non-fire personnel
• Fire risk assessment techniques and associated control measures to mitigate risk
• Incident investigation and report writing
• Fire safety legislation, guidance and fire safety management processes
• Practical knowledge of interpreting Building Regulations
• Previous experience of fire safety management in an acute hospital environment
• Experience of working with HTM 'Firecode'
• Experience of fire safety project management and provision of advice to project management teams for a wide range of type and size of capital works

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.

£31,469 to £38,308 a yearinclusive of high cost area allowance