Fire Safety Support (Practitioner)

EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST; Kendal; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Kendal seeks a Fire Safety Support (Practitioner) to assist the Specialist Fire Safety Advisor. This role involves ensuring compliance with Fire Safety legislation and developing training programs. The ideal candidate should possess a recognized fire safety qualification and be able to communicate effectively with staff and authorities. This position demands proactivity in fire risk assessments and staff training, with a commitment to professional development.

Qualifications

• Contribute to the development of the fire strategy.
• Carry out Fire Risk Assessments under the Regulatory Reform.
• Deliver fire safety training programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice on fire legislation.
• Liaise with enforcing authorities in fire safety issues.
• Ensure effective maintenance of firefighting equipment.

Skills

Recognised fire safety qualification

Membership of a professional organisation (IFE, IFPO)

Communication skills

IT skills (MS Word, PowerPoint)

Ability to work to timescales

Education

Degree level education

Professional qualification in a fire related subject

Tools

Fire safety guidance

Fire Risk Assessment techniques

Job description

Overview

The Fire Safety Support (Practitioner) will provide support to the Specialist Fire Safety Advisor (Team Leader) and work to enable the Trust to fulfil its statutory duties under Fire Safety legislation. The post holder may be required to provide fire safety support and cover across Lancs and South Cumbria as service needs dictate. This will be delivered through risk assessment, monitoring and progression of compliance and staff training. To develop and implement a safe system of work that enables the Trust to fulfil its statutory duties under Fire Safety legislation.

Location and Trust context

We operate from three main hospitals: Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverstone Community Health Centre. FGH and the RLI offer a range of General Hospital services with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services. WGH provides General Hospital services with an Urgent Treatment Centre for non-life threatening conditions. Local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice on the application and interpretation of fire legislation and fire safety guidance, including Firecode.
• Assist with the development of the organisation's fire strategy.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of fire safety training programmes.
• Liaise with managers and staff on fire safety issues, including training.
• Liaise with enforcing authorities (primarily the local Fire and Rescue Service) in the absence of the Specialist Fire Safety Advisor (Team Leader).
• Carry out Fire Risk Assessments under the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and prepare reports accordingly.
• Liaise with internal departments and external agencies in the specification of fire precautions in new and existing premises.
• Ensure the adequate provision and effective maintenance of all first aid firefighting equipment and appliances, fire safety signs, notices, etc.
• Support the Specialist Fire Safety Advisor (Team Leader) in liaising with external agencies.

Essential criteria

• Recognised fire safety qualification
• Membership of a professional organisation (IFE, IFPO, etc.)

Desirable criteria

• Degree level education
• Corporate membership of a professional organisation (MFireE, MIOSH, etc.)
• Professional qualification in a fire related subject (CFPA, IOSH, etc.)
• Teaching qualification
• Accredited fire risk assessor
• Carrying out fire risk assessments within buildings
• Preparation and delivery of fire safety training
• Delivery of healthcare fire safety, interpersonal and communication skills
• Devise and deliver training programmes
• Report writing
• IT skills (MS Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Ability to work to timescales
• ECDL (or equivalent)
• Knowledge of fire safety, Fire Risk Assessment, Fire Legislation and Codes of Practice, and Fire Training
• Ability to undertake Fire Risk Assessments
• Willingness to participate in continued professional development
• Detailed knowledge of Firecode
• Thorough knowledge of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
• Understanding of risk management techniques in a healthcare environment

Equality, diversity and DBS information

The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a Zero Tolerance policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and, as such, this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and a Disclosure to check for any previous criminal convictions. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks apply where relevant, and the Trust may charge the cost of a DBS check to successful applicants.

Application notes

Please note that salary advertised is for full-time hours; pro-rata salaries apply for part-time posts. Shortlisting is based on essential criteria. DBS information may be required for roles involving safeguarding vulnerable groups. For further details, check your email regularly after applying.