Overview
Job summary: A permanent position responsible for providing specialist fire safety advice to University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust on all fire safety matters relating to people and premises.
Working as part of the Fire Safety Team within the Estates and Facilities Department, you will ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulation, HTM, Code of Practice and Technical Guidance. The post holder will act as the lead specialist in the field of fire safety on behalf of the Trust. The role supports the development and implementation of the Trust's Fire Safety Policy and Fire Safety Protocols, and the delivery of an extensive programme of general and specialist Fire Safety Training to a wide audience, providing specialist fire safety advice for clinical teams, capital project planning, design, construction and commissioning teams.
The role is guided by national guidelines and legislation relating to fire safety.
Responsibilities
* Liaise with all levels of Trust Management to ensure fire safety is managed in line with Trust policies.
* Attend and contribute to the Trust Fire Committee Meeting.
* Attend and contribute to the Trust Health and Safety Committee as required.
* Maintain a close working relationship with the Estates and Facilities Capital Projects teams to ensure Fire Safety considerations are incorporated in all new schemes, upgrade works and repairs to the Trusts building portfolio.
* Maintain a close working relationship with the Estates Department and appointed contractors regarding engineering systems, means of detection, alarm systems and first aid firefighting equipment provisions and maintenance.
* Work closely with the Emergency Planning and Business Continuity departments in relation to emergency response planning.
* Build strong networks across other Trusts and external organisations to share best practice and benchmark improvements.
* Survey and report on the standards of fire safety in Trust owned, leased or occupied premises and on the adequacy of staff training in fire precautions.
* Advise on fire safety implications at the planning stage of all new building/engineering projects; reduce interim risks by authorising alternative arrangements and approving condition/snags prior to handover.
* Undertake Fire Risk Assessments as required by legislation and identify fire safety risks within the Trust controlled portfolio.
* Liaise with the local Fire Authority and Police in the investigation of fires; keep records of all fires; support Managers and Fire Wardens in the preparation of Fire Reports.
* Monitor the incidents of unwanted fire signals from fire alarm systems and identify measures to control and reduce such signals; maintain records and NHS statistical returns.
* Provide fire safety advice regarding emergency planning and the impact within the Trust contingency plans.
* Keep the Trust informed of major developments in Fire Safety Legislation and DoPH policy guidance and the organisation and management of fire precautions.
* Prepare suitable training programmes in Fire Safety and organise fire drills or table-top exercises; undertake fire training at all levels and attend fire drills where practicable.
* Ensure records for all Fire Safety Training and Fire Drills are kept to provide assurance of adherence to policy and to communicate lessons learned.
* Carry out Fire Risk Assessments as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Firecode and the Trust's Fire Safety Action Plan.
* Undertake specialist Fire Risk Assessments within clinical and non-clinical secure environments as required and disseminate findings to functional heads and staff with fire responsibilities.
* Undertake specialist investigations of fire incidents and produce appropriate reports for the Fire Safety Manager and the local fire safety lead.
* Provide a specialist role in fire emergency planning, considering security issues and contingency plans; maintain an effective site fire tactical plan with Security and the Fire and Rescue Service; ensure fire strategy drawings are current and accessible.
* Maintain comprehensive records of all fire incidents and investigations and provide remedial action guidance to reduce incidents.
For more details, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Qualifications and Skills
Essential
* Educated to degree level or equivalent specialist knowledge attained through formal qualifications and demonstrable experience.
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Highly developed and effective verbal and written communication skills
* Competent computer literacy skills and ability to use MS Office applications
* Manage and implement an effective Fire Risk Assessment Programme
Desirable
* Fire Engineering / Level 4 Diploma or other relevant academic qualification, Health and Safety qualification
* Experience of managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders
* Leadership and Teambuilding
* Ability to use AutoCAD, familiar with MICAD application
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Details
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Location: Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 279-6972059-AUG25
Employer details
Website: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/
#J-18808-Ljbffr