The closing date is 10 March 2026
Senior Fire Officer
To deliver the fire safety strategy for the Trust and ensure that PAHT complies with all elements of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Main duties of the job
* Work closely with the Health and Safety manager and the Project Team to provide effective fire safety management throughout the Trust, including fire audits, risk assessments, action plans and management of fire drills.
* Liaise on fire matters with regard to project development work on PAHT sites to maintain compliance with the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order.
* Act as mentor to the Assistant Fire Advisor and the fire safety trainer, ensuring they become practically competent.
* Provide expert advice on fire matters to third parties and educate staff, identify training needs and tailor training provisions.
* Work mainly at the main Princess Alexandra Hospital site, with occasional work at other sites such as Herts & Essex Hospital, Bishop Stortford, St Margarets Hospital and Epping.
Job responsibilities
* Provide professional advice to staff and management on fire precaution issues.
* Carry out fire audits and risk assessments, prepare and distribute action plans, and monitor follow‑up.
* Work closely with managers to achieve Fire Safety objectives in relation to capital and maintenance work.
* Coordinate with Local Authority/Fire and Rescue Service for inspections and investigations.
* Coordinate with Building Control leads for fire standards compliance in building projects.
* Maintain records of fire incidents and prepare reports.
* Ensure evacuation procedures for service‑user areas are documented and agreed.
* Compile data for the Fire Safety Group and ad hoc reports.
* Liaise with Trust Estates Managers regarding fire alarm system log books and maintenance records.
* Develop and update Fire Safety Policies and Procedures for all Trust properties.
* Ensure adequate firefighting equipment is installed, tested and registered.
* Advise on fire precaution requirements in new and existing buildings per NHS Firecode and statutory requirements.
* Maintain record drawings showing fire compartmentation, alarms, emergency lighting, etc.
* Maintain and manage a programme of fire drills.
* Undergo necessary training and adapt to changing duties.
* Inform senior management of day‑to‑day issues and significant fire safety matters.
* Work with the Emergency Planning team to provide emergency fire plans.
* Cover and provide input during holidays and absences.
* Deliver fire lectures or related work outside normal hours as needed.
About us
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high‑quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined‑up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* The post‑holder will hold a relevant fire safety technical qualification and possess a working knowledge of Healthcare Fire Safety and the Fire Code suite of documents.
* Understand how fires originate, spread within and outside buildings/structures, and can be detected, controlled, and or extinguished.
* Possess sufficient IT skills to facilitate the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CAD and databases.
Experience
* The post holder will be expected to attend meetings, either on Teams, in person in a meeting room or on a construction site, therefore have experience of a formal meeting environment.
* Be able to anticipate the behaviour of materials, structures, machines, apparatus, and processes related to the protection of life, property and the environment from fire.
* Experience in the Fire Service or Fire Safety industry, experience of Fire Prevention and Fire Safety work including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
* The post holder must have experience of providing fire training, and knowledge and understanding in order to provide bespoke training packages for the various services and staff groups within the Trust.
* This is a demanding time‑sensitive role, for example on refurbishment projects where tight completion timelines are set, therefore the post holder will be familiar with building project work.
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.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
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