Fire Safety Lead
The closing date is 26 April 2026
To manage the Fire Safety Advisors/Team and take responsibility for all aspects of the Fire Safety Management System across the Trust. The Fire Safety Team covers the whole organisation and includes Health and Social Care. This post will be the main point of contact for Fire and Rescue Services and will be required to build and maintain relationships with Fire and Rescue Services and lead on visits/audits carried out across the organisation.
Main duties of the job
* Act as the Trust's designated Fire Safety Lead, maintaining oversight of all fire safety risks and ensuring all relevant policies and procedures are implemented to minimise the risk of fire.
* Act as the principal competent person supporting the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
* Oversee and manage the Fire Safety Risk Assessments process.
* To have a strong understanding and awareness of key regulations, legislation and best practice guidance.
* Oversee and manage fire safety training (practical and theory).
* Provide expert fire safety advice.
* Monitor Trust compliance on fire safety.
* Oversee and lead on the development of Trust relevant policies and procedures.
* To monitor and report out to the relevant meetings and committees on Trust-wide fire safety compliance.
* Oversee and manage the Fire Safety Risk Assessments process.
* Oversee and manage fire evacuation drills.
* Ensure systems for PEEPs, general evacuation plans, and site-wide fire strategies are fully in place, maintained, and reviewed.
* To review and investigate near misses, incidents and serious incidents and report on findings as required.
There are a number of other duties and responsibilities which are detailed within the Job Description.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job responsibilities
Main duties and responsibilities
* 1. Act as the Trusts designated Fire Safety Lead, maintaining oversight of all fire safety risks and ensuring all relevant policies and procedures are implemented to minimise the risk of fire.
* 2. Acts as the principal competent person supporting the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
* 3. Oversee and manage the Fire Safety Risk Assessments process, including the development of action plans and recommendations and monthly reporting to ensure compliance is met.
* 4. To have a strong understanding and awareness of key regulations, legislation and best practice guidance including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, relevant HTMs, PAS 79, Building Safety Act 2022, The Building Regulations 2010, BS 9999 and other key British Standards.
* 5. Oversee and manage fire safety training (practical and theory) including mandatory, specific and ad‑hoc training. This includes fire extinguisher and fire evacuation chair training.
* 6. Provide expert advice to the Trust and individual managers/staff on aspects of fire safety.
* 7. Monitor Trust compliance against the required legislative frameworks providing actions plans for any gaps of budgets or resource deficiencies identified.
* 8. Oversee and lead on the development of Trust relevant policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legislation.
* 9. To monitor and report out to the relevant meetings and committees on Trust‑wide fire safety compliance.
* 10. Oversee and manage the Fire Safety Risk Assessments process.
* 11. Oversee and manage fire evacuation drills. This includes developing the Trust approach to meet requirements and reporting on compliance and improvements.
* 12. Ensure systems for PEEPs, general evacuation plans, and sitewide fire strategies are fully in place, maintained, and reviewed.
* 13. To review and investigate near misses, incidents and serious incidents and report on findings as required.
* 14. Support Learning Response Reviews for fire‑related incidents, supporting the Trusts PSIRF approach.
* 15. To be responsible for developing standards for face‑to‑face training and where applicable.
* 16. To carry out research and stay abreast of the latest changes to legislation and best practice guidance.
* 17. To review relevant policies and procedures in line with changes to legislation and best practice guidance.
* 18. To lead on the annual AE audit and deliver an action plan to address AE audit requirements.
* 19. Monitor and report out to the relevant meetings and committees on the Trust wide Fire Safety compliance.
* 20. Chair a monthly Fire Operational Group to include key stakeholders e.g. Estates, IT, Clinical Teams etc.
* 21. Chair monthly Estates Action Meetings to discuss environmental related actions following Fire Risk Assessments.
* 22. Review/audit Fire Risk Assessments completed by Advisors to ensure they are accurate and meet the required standard.
* 23. To undertake or support staff to undertake a risk assessment in relation to fire safety to ensure controls are in place to reduce risks.
* 24. Monitoring, reporting and initiating measures to reduce false alarms and unwanted fire signals.
* 25. Carrying out all duties aligned to fire related HTMs e.g. 05‑01/02/03, for compliance to be met.
* 26. Oversee and lead on the development of Trust relevant policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legislation.
* 27. Advise on the requirement to complete fire safety strategies and relevant surveys.
* 28. To assist in the development of the Fire Safety Annual Report which includes completing an annual work programme.
* 29. To develop and support the implementation of Trust strategy and operational fire policy/procedures to deliver on the standards required.
* 30. Responsible for promoting a positive work culture.
* 31. Responsible for maintaining own core competencies and CPD along with supporting Team training and development needs. To ensure these are sufficiently documented and follow best practice guidance.
* 32. To be mindful about the geography and diversity of the organisation to ensure that policies and procedures are applicable to all areas.
Staff management
* 34. Manage the Fire Safety Team, their workload and day to day management, provide supervision, undertake the recruitment and selection of staff, taking into account workforce plans and new ways of working.
* 35. Ensure staff are appraised, in accordance with Trust policies, with individual objectives and personal development plans.
* 36. Monitor and manage attendance e.g. annual leave, training / study leave and sickness absence, taking appropriate management action as required.
* 37. Delegated budget holder, act as signatory, within authorised limits, in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions and monitor finances to ensure team spend is within budget.
Systems and equipment
* 38. Provide reports on programmes of activity and any associated action plans to relevant meetings.
* 39. Develop and present reports to relevant meetings such as the Health and Safety Committee, the Fire Safety Strategic Group and the Fire Safety Operational Group.
* 40. Use the Safeguard incident reporting system to extract information and data suitable for reports.
* 41. To provide expert advice in relation to all aspects of specialist Fire Safety Management.
* 42. To provide reports on fire safety related incidents as required for meetings.
* 43. Lead on updating and supporting the development of the Trusts Risk Management System (Safeguard).
Decisions and judgements
* 44. Review the fire safety training need analysis.
* 45. To lead on the development and delivery of the fire safety training programme for staff across the organisation.
* 46. To be responsible for the appointment of a fire Authorising Engineer (AE) for the Trust.
* 47. To escalation issues of concern/risk as they arise.
* 48. To identify possible difficulties in meeting legislation and national standards and assist in the development of strategies to overcome them.
* 49. Initiative is required to resolve problems.
Communication and relationships
* 50. Be the liaison between the Authorising Engineer (AE) (Fire) and the rest of the Trust. There is also a requirement to be the lead for AE audit and subsequent action plans.
* 51. To work with clinical staff and managers to assess, monitor, review risk and analysing issues arising from incidents relating to Fire Safety.
* 52. To communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
* 53. To work with Estates and Capital teams to assist the development of a capital backlog programme for fire related requirements.
* 54. To offer fire safety oversight for Capital schemes.
* 55. Involvement in fire strategy approval for new builds/refurbishments.
* 56. To work with Estates and Capital teams to assist the priority, development and management of the delivery of fire management requirements within budgetary allocations.
* 57. To work with the Contracts Team to advise on fire related equipment requirements.
* 58. To work with the Procurement Team to advise on fire related products.
* 59. To be the Fire Safety lead in partnership with the internal and external EPRR leads for Business Continuity Planning.
* 60. Liaison with external enforcing authorities including being the main point of contact for Fire and Rescue Services. The post holder will build and maintain relationships with Fire and Rescue Services.
* 61. Regular communication of detailed and sometimes sensitive information using verbal communication skills.
Physical demands of the job
* 62. There is a frequent requirement for sitting in a restricted position for a substantial proportion of the working time either, at a computer desk, in meetings or while driving.
* 63. There may be a need to review/assess a premises during build or refurbishment and therefore, the post holder may be exposed to noise and hazards such as trip hazards (subject to a risk assessment).
* 64. The post holder will be required to attend a broad range of premises.
* 65. Requirement to concentrate for long periods of time.
* 66. The post holder would be required to maintain concentration with interruptions on a regular basis.
* 67. The post holder would be required to meet strict deadlines.
Most challenging/difficult parts of the job
* 68. The post requires a high level of confidentiality.
* 69. When reviewing and investigating incidents etc, the post holder will have to exercise judgement as to the best way of handling a complex situation, using tact and diplomacy.
* 70. Regularly travel across multiple Trust sites.
Please see duties and responsibilities detailed within the Job Description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Fire and/or Health & Safety or equivalent senior qualification.
* Evidence of Continued Professional Development.
* IOSH (Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health).
* Teaching Qualification.
Experience
* Experience of managing a Team, their workload and day to day management.
* Evidence of undertaking fire safety work based risk assessments/audits.
* Experience of developing related policies and procedures.
* Experience of chairing meetings.
* Experience of successfully managing and monitoring a departmental budget.
* Experience of developing and implementing fire safety strategies.
* Significant knowledge of fire safety legislation including, RRO, Fire code and relevant Health Technical Memorandum.
* Recognised Fire Safety Management Experience.
* Experience with a fire audit/assessment software programme.
* Experience of working in a Community Health and Social Care Setting.
* Experience in building engineering fire safety management.
Skills
* Able to write and present reports in a manner that can be understood by different audiences.
* Excellent IT skills including typewriting/ keyboard skills.
* Able to prioritise and meet deadlines.
* Ability to work on own initiative, planning own workload with minimal supervision.
* Have the ability and confidence to communicate with a range of clinical staff and managers at a senior level.
* Good organisational skills.
* An understanding of the use of graphs, charts and statistical terms in order to present trends.
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 name
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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