Senior Fire Officer

NHS; Harlow; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A public healthcare institution in Harlow seeks a Senior Fire Officer to lead fire safety management. This role involves conducting audits, risk assessments, and liaising with local authorities to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations. The ideal candidate will hold a relevant fire safety qualification and have experience in providing training. This permanent full-time position offers a salary between £47,810 and £54,710, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and staff support within the Trust's framework.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Development opportunities

Focus on well-being

Qualifications

• Knowledge of how fires originate, spread, and can be controlled.
• Experience in providing training and understanding of fire safety.
• Formal meeting experience in various environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide fire safety advice to staff and management.
• Conduct fire audits and risk assessments.
• Liaise with local authorities and fire services.

Skills

IT skills (Word, Excel, Power Point, CAD, databases)

Understanding fire safety regulations

Fire safety training provision

Education

Relevant fire safety technical qualification

Job description

Job summary

To deliver the fire safety strategy for the Trust and ensure that PAHT complies with all elements of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act. The Senior Fire Officer will work closely with, and support the H&S Manager/Project Team to provide effective fire safety management throughout the Trust. This will involve: undertaking fire audits, risk assessments, production of action plans, fire drills. To liaise on fire matters with regard to project development work undertaken ensuring that compliance to the RRFSO is maintained. To act as mentor to the Assistant Fire Advisor and fire safety trainer in fire safety matters. To be the expert in the field of fire, offer advice and guidance to third parties, facilitate and educate staff as required. This will also involve the need to identify training needs, to assist in tailoring training provisions to the specific requirements of the differing services and staff. To be agile working, based mainly at PAHT, with the requirement to work at other sites if needed.

Main duties of the job

The role requires delivery of subject expert advice on all matters relating to fire safety. The role requires analysis of fire safety reports and submissions from contractors undertaking works within the PAHT estate as detailed in the full job description attached to this advert. To provide professional advice to staff and management within the Trust. To carry out fire audits, risk assessment reviews, use IT systems, deliver training. Prepare and distribute action plans, monitor/follow up to the conclusion of the action, together with monitoring means of escape, preparing defect reports for action. To liaise with the Local Authority/Fire and Rescue Service, contractors, manufacturers etc relating fire safety and its management.

About us

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high‑quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined‑up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Details

Date posted: 01 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 000265

Job location:
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Harlow
Essex
CM20 1QX

Job responsibilities

To provide professional advice to staff and management within the Trust on fire precaution issues. To carry out fire audits and risk assessment reviews and use Trust IT systems. Prepare and distribute action plans and monitor/follow up as necessary to the conclusion of the action throughout the Trust, together with monitoring means of escape and preparing defect reports for action. Work closely with managers to achieve Fire Safety objectives in relation to capital and planned/unplanned maintenance work. To liaise with the Local Authority/Fire and Rescue Service in the inspection of buildings, the investigation of outbreaks of fire, the implementations of Fire code and Trust policies in relation to the reduction of unwanted fire signals and fire matters of joint interest. This will also include networking with other Trusts and organisations on fire safety issues. To liaise with Building Control leads for the council in terms of compliance to fire standards in building projects, where applicable. Ensure that adequate records of all fire related incidents are kept and that necessary reports are prepared for senior management and NHS Estates. To ensure that all areas, specifically those occupied by service users, have documented and agreed evacuation procedures that preserve the safety of occupants in the event of a fire alert. Compilation and preparation of data in relation to fire issues for the Fire Safety Group and other ad hoc reports. Support the overarching health, safety and resilience strategy in ensuring the following: Liaise with Trust Estates Managers to ensure fire alarm system log books are regularly checked to certify that the systems are maintained to the appropriate British Standard, that all maintenance checks/tests, defects etc. are reported, acted upon and the appropriate audit records are made available for independent inspection. Fire Safety Policies and Procedures are established for all Trust properties and reviewed on a regular basis. Adequate appropriate fire fighting equipment is provided and installed throughout the Trust premises and is maintained/tested in accordance with the manufacturers and DOH recommendations, and a register kept of all tests. Advise on all fire precaution requirements in new and existing buildings within the Trust, in accordance with NHS Firecode, Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order and any other statutory requirements including liaising with the appropriate consultants and external bodies as required, such as the HSE. Ensure that adequate record drawings of premises showing fire compartmentation, fire alarms, emergency lighting etc. are maintained by the Estates department, and that appropriate processes are in place that ensures they are updated whenever necessary. Ensuring that current fire compliance and any other documentation for Trust properties are maintained and updated in line with any physical or operational changes. Maintain and manage a programme of fire drills in Trust premises. Undergo any training that is considered appropriate to meet the needs of the role, including any changes in work priorities and content. Ensure that the senior management is informed on day‑to‑day issues that are ongoing, including outcomes on specific tasks/objectives. Identify fire safety related issues that are significant to Estates/Facilities, and make management aware of their importance. Work with the Trust’s Emergency Planning team to provide emergency fire plans as required. Work with other managers on groups’ objectives, operational issues and to help cover/provide input during holidays, absences, etc. It may be necessary to undertake some fire lectures out of hours/associated working, which will be worked as part of the normal weekly hours.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• The post-holder will hold a relevant fire safety technical qualification, and possess a working knowledge of Healthcare Fire Safety and the Fire Code Suite of documents.
• Understand how fires originate, spread within and outside buildings/structures, and can be detected, controlled, and or extinguished.
• Possess sufficient IT skills to facilitate the use of Word, Excel, Power Point, CAD and databases.

Experience (Essential)

• The post holder will be expected to attend meetings, either on Teams, in person in a meeting room or on a construction site, therefore have the experience of a formal meeting environment.
• Be able to anticipate the behaviour of materials, structures, machines, apparatus, and processes related to the protection of life, property and the environment from fire.
• Experience in the Fire Service or Fire Safety industry, experience of Fire Prevention and Fire Safety work including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• The post holder must have experience of providing fire training, and knowledge and understanding in order to provide bespoke training packages for the various services and staff groups within the Trust.

Desirable

• This is a demanding time sensitive role, for example on refurbishment projects where tight completion timelines are set, therefore the post holder will be familiar with building project work.

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.

Employer details

Employer name: The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address: The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX

Employer's website: https://www.pah.nhs.uk