Fire Safety Officer - Band D1 in Gloucester

We are looking for a knowledgeable and motivated Fire Safety Officer to join our Fire Safety Team within Gloucestershire Managed Services (GMS). This role is vital in helping us maintain safe environments across our healthcare estate, protecting patients, staff, visitors, and contractors. Working across sites in Cheltenham and Gloucester, you will provide professional fire safety advice and support to ensure compliance with fire safety legislation, healthcare guidance, and organisational policies. Your work will include carrying out fire risk assessments, supporting investigations, delivering training, advising on projects, and promoting a strong culture of fire safety awareness.

Main duties of the job

As a Fire Safety Officer, you will provide expert fire safety advice across GMS-managed healthcare sites, ensuring compliance with legislation, guidance, and organisational policies. Your duties will include:

• Carrying out fire risk assessments
• Maintaining fire safety records
• Investigating incidents
• Overseeing fire equipment
• Coordinating drills and training
• Supporting projects to ensure fire safety standards are met

You will work closely with Estates, clinical teams, contractors, and external agencies to maintain safe environments for patients, staff, and visitors.

About us

Gloucestershire Managed Services (GMS) is committed to delivering high-quality support services that enable excellent patient care across Gloucestershire. As a values-driven organisation, we place people at the heart of what we do, fostering a culture built on respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We are proud to provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where staff are encouraged to develop, share ideas, and contribute to meaningful organisational change.

Job responsibilities

Technical and Operational

• Undertake and maintain fire risk assessments, fire plans, and evacuation strategies across all GMS-managed premises in line with statutory and healthcare guidance.
• Monitor and advise on compliance with fire safety legislation and standards, including relevant Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs), supporting corrective action where required.
• Maintain accurate fire safety records and contribute to assurance reporting, including risk management processes, trend analysis, and preventative planning.
• Investigate fire-related incidents, near misses, and false alarms, producing reports and recommending proportionate corrective measures.
• Co-ordinate routine fire safety activities, including alarm systems, emergency lighting, drills, audits, and oversight of fire safety equipment to ensure appropriate provision, positioning, and maintenance.
• Provide specialist advice for maintenance, refurbishment, and capital projects, assessing fire safety implications or infrastructure or system changes.
• Liaise with Fire and Rescue Services, Building Control, insurers, and other authorities regarding inspections, compliance, and improvement actions.
• Support the development and review of fire safety policies and procedures, exercising professional judgement to advise on risks and escalating significant risks through appropriate governance routes.
• Act as a competent person for fire safety matters in accordance with statutory requirements.

Professional Development

• Maintain up-to-date specialist knowledge of fire safety legislation, healthcare guidance, and emerging best practice.
• Undertake mandatory and role-specific training, ensuring professional qualifications and registrations remain current.
• Participate in continuing professional development (CPD) and relevant professional networks.
• Promote fire safety awareness across GMS and share good practice within the Estates and Facilities function.

Supervision and Coordination

• Deliver fire safety training, including induction, refresher courses, fire warden training, and evacuation procedures.
• Support, advise, and Fire Wardens and departmental representatives on fire safety responsibilities.
• Plan, co-ordinate, and evaluate fire drills and evacuation exercises, recommending improvements where required.
• Conduct inspections and compliance checks, supporting departments to implement corrective actions arising from audits or fire risk assessments.
• Oversee fire-fighting equipment, signage, and notices, ensuring correct location, maintenance, and suitability.
• Work collaboratively with Estates, Capital Projects, Health & Safety, and Operational teams to coordinate fire safety activity.
• Monitor contractors on live sites to ensure fire precautions are maintained, taking action where deficiencies are identified.

Person Specification

• Registration with a recognised fire safety or fire engineering professional body
• NEBOSH or IOSH Occupational Health & Safety qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
• Training or teaching qualification.
• Relevant fire safety experience within a large or complex organisation.
• Experience conducting fire risk assessments and audits
• Experience in healthcare or high-risk, occupied environments

Knowledge / Skills

• Sound knowledge of fire safety legislation and its application in complex environments
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and risk/compliance systems
• Ability to provide clear, proportionate, fire safety advice
• Knowledge of healthcare fire safety guidance (HTM 05 series or equivalent)
• Awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles

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.

£40,235 to £47,302 a year (pa, pro rata if part-time)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 318-26-GMS0142

Job locations: Trustwide