Fire Safety Advisor in Chester

The post holder will provide specialist fire safety guidance to senior management and the Trust Board to ensure the Trust is able to meet its statutory obligations under the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005. Using their initiative, the Fire Safety Advisor will co-ordinate the work of the Senior Fire Safety Advisor to ensure that risk assessments are undertaken at appropriate intervals, inspections are carried out, staff training is delivered, and there is effective liaison with external agencies including the Fire & Rescue Service.

Key Responsibilities

• Statutory Compliance: Ensure the Trust meets the requirements of the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005.
• Policy Management: Ensure the Trust's Fire Safety Policy is up to date, meets RRO requirements, and is effectively implemented across the organisation.
• Risk Assessments: Co-ordinate the undertaking of all fire risk assessments in premises owned or occupied by the NHS Trust and provide reports on findings to appropriate managers.
• Inspections: Co-ordinate and, where appropriate, undertake regular inspections of Trust premises and provide reports as necessary.
• Investigations: Carry out investigations into the cause of fires and unwanted fire signals (false alarms), reporting to the Department of Health via the EFM database.
• Training Delivery: Prepare, plan, and deliver a comprehensive programme for mandatory training in fire safety for staff at all levels.
• Specialist Training: Develop additional training for staff in acute inpatient areas regarding evacuation methods and provide out-of-hours training to evening and night staff.
• Technical Liaison: Liaise with the Estates Department, Building Control, and the Fire Authority on plans for new builds or refurbishments in relation to legislative fire safety.
• Systems Maintenance: Liaise with maintenance contractors regarding the upkeep of relevant fire safety systems.

Requirements

• Qualifications:

• Essential: Relevant qualification in Fire Safety, such as attendance on a specialist course at the Fire Service College or a Fire Safety Engineering/Management Degree.
• Essential: Possession of a Health & Safety Diploma.
• Desirable: Graduate or Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or Institute of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO).

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ management experience working in a local authority or Fire Brigade (including at least 2 years in a fire safety post) OR management experience in another sector involving at least 2 years in a fire safety position.
• Legislation: Conversant with current fire safety legislation, Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs), and Building Regulations.
• Technical Awareness: Awareness of associated British Standards, especially those regarding fire-fighting equipment, fire alarms, and fire signage.

• Technical: Ability to read plan drawings, identify problems, and find acceptable solutions.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to liaise at all levels.
• Organisation: Well-organised, methodical, and able to work to tight deadlines.
• IT: Proficient in Microsoft Office packages with the ability to create and manage databases.