Head of Fire Safety

Role specific duties

This is a role for a Head of Fire Safety is to drive change in a fast paced and challenging environment. Drawing on your depth of knowledge across all aspects of fire safety, you will be in a position to make a difference.

As the manager of the Fire Safety Team, you will:

·        Lead in the delivery and development of the organisation’s Fire Safety Plan.

·        Lead in the development, achievement and evaluation of the Safety Strategy and associated plans and objectives

·        Provide a framework and support for the Leadership team in the development, achievement and evaluation of their fire related strategies and objectives.

·        Work with the designated departments and teams to support the development of their own departmental and workforce fire plans, supporting their longer-term aspirations and strategic initiatives to ensure compliance with fire safety requirements.

·        Recommend strategies including capital investment and revenue requirements to prioritise risks and ensure compliance. This will include engagement and guidance with the project management of new or improved fire safety installations in accordance with Building Regulations and the relevant Health Technical Memorandums (HTMs).

·        Provide strategic guidance and technical advice on fire safety issues and related procedures at all sites. This requires dealing with staff in all roles from Board level down throughout the organisation.

·        Undertake specific audits on the fire safety systems to ensure the efficient and safe operation of all firefighting equipment, emergency lighting and fire alarm systems (list not exclusive) in association with the relevant Estates Team.

·        Be an active and effective member of the Safety Team, ensuring the high visibility, focus and delivery of the wider Safety Strategy. Working with, and through the management teams, clinical and Facilities staff, lead the development of our culture across the organisation to enable us to achieve the aims of EKHUFT’s and 2gether’s Safety Plan.

Manage the fire Safety Team and support the Associate Director of Safety in a number of the following areas (as agreed): -

·       Reviewing and developing fire related policies and procedures.

·       Supporting the Compliance Manager on fire safety data and information systems and analysis.

·       Reviewing and developing the Training Needs Analysis and course provision in line with HTM and Skills for Health guidance

·       Providing Fire Safety Training face to face and virtually, at all levels.

·       Completion of Fire Risk Assessments across the five main hospital sites and satellite workplaces.

·       Support the development, implementation and monitoring of a cohesive, whole systems Fire and Safety strategy that embraces all Legal, Ethical and Moral responsibilities of the organisation

·       Pro-actively support, coach and challenge organisational leaders in all matters relating to fire safety.

·       Pro-actively support and provide guidance to the Capital Projects Team, and contractors on new and remediation works

Organisational Development

Design, specify and deliver training courses in Fire Safety to staff in the performance of specific roles (e.g. on induction, Fire Wardens and other roles up to and including Senior Management). Resource and recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective delivery method.

Commission and support delivery of Management training to strengthen management capability and effectiveness whilst minimising risk to the business.

Assist in the organisation and review of fire drills, desk top exercises and other simulations working with others such as the Emergency Planning Team.

Review and analyse fire and unwanted fire signal statistics, conduct investigations and suggest risk management options, managing the relevant database.

Attend regular site-based Safety Committee Meetings to address concerns raised and provide advice and guidance as appropriate.

Develop and maintain an environment, which will reduce the risk of harm to patients/clients, their relatives/carers and other healthcare personnel, through programmes of fire risk assessments and inspections in compliance with legislative frameworks, education programmes and awareness.

Undertake investigations of adverse fire events, carry out root causes analysis with relevant managers and make recommendations to avoid future incidents, as appropriate[BP1] .

Work closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale and increase fire safety awareness.

Delivering the fire safety management function

Required to visit various Trust sites to ensure effective fire safety management of the estates and for attendance at meetings as necessary.

Work flexibly as necessary in order to meet critical short-term deadlines when dealing with operational incidents, whilst working in the long term to achieve Corporate and Departmental objectives.

Act sensitively in ensuring that the concerns of staff are dealt with sympathetically, alongside clinical service needs and requirements.

Occasional exposure to highly emotional situations, and required to deal with staff grievances and disciplinary issues as they arise.

Will frequently need to prioritise and change planned activities.

Will be required to oversee the response to all fires and unwanted fire signals and to lead the investigation of the causes as quickly as practicable.

There will be a limited requirement to work at Heights whilst reviewing some fire risks across the trust sites, which may require working in dusty and dirty conditions.

There will be a limited requirement to work in areas of little or confined space whilst reviewing fire risks in the Trust’s engineering service areas.

The person will be expected to drive around sites potentially with some equipment whilst carrying out their duties, providing their own transport and extra travel costs will be reimbursed.

Job Dimensions:

To manage a programme of Fire Risk Assessments and inspections and audits of healthcare and other premises including staff accommodation blocks, to ensure conformity with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

To engage with the Fire Safety Enforcement Authority with regular Audits and any investigations where necessary collating evidence and preparing remedial plans and responses.

To identify high risk premises, groups and individuals within the hospital community and to implement targeted risk based inspection programmes reacting to changing risks.

To provide advice in order to determine compliance with statutory codes of practices and other fire related legislation to Project Managers and contractors where required.

To provide support and technical expertise to colleagues and departments, including mentoring and training, to ensure effective sharing of knowledge