Deputy Fire Safety Manager inLondon inLondon PUBLISHED 17 OCT 2024

Deputy Fire Safety Manager

Based across all our sites. (University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Community sites)

To ensure the Trust is compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) and Firecode HTM-05-Managing Healthcare Fire Safety

• Responsible for the delivery of fire safety training
• To undertake fire risk assessments
• To act in support of the FS manager
• Advise the FS manager of issues
• Review and development of fire safety related policies, procedures and practices,
• Deliver FS improvements
• Convene the Trust Fire Safety Group, Deputise where the FS manager cannot attend a range of meetings.
• To ensure fire safety incidents are investigated and followed up appropriately
• To assist in the co-ordination and preparation of fire safety audits.
• Managers and staff to plan / simulate fire evacuations

To be proactive in raising awareness of fire safety issues by:

• Designing and implementing training programmes
• Providing an introduction to fire safety
• Provide training / refresher training courses for Trust staff

To maintain the Trust's risk register with regard to Fire Safety Risks.

In conjunction with external advisors (where necessary), advise on Fire Safety requirements for capital projects

To ensure records are maintained for:

• Fire Risk Assessments and Fire Safety Audits
• Fire Accident/ Arson / Incident Reports

Ensure the FRA programme is updated

To monitor and manage the Trust Fire Safety Advisory contract

About us

• To provide technical and professional advice on the management of fire safety to all levels of management, staff and design consultants.
• To act independently in the management of fire safety risk issues in response to issues raised to and including the authority to require the cessation of work by in-house staff and contractors if warranted.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with all regulatory provisions regarding fire safety in all Trust owned or operated properties.
• Responsible for developing and implementing local plans for all wards and departments detailing actions to be taken in the event of a fire, ensuring there are regular reviews and the contents are fully understood by all staff.
• Compile monthly and annual fire safety statistics, analyse and produce reports to inform the Fire Safety Manager, Fire Safety Committee and Trust Board.
• Formulate and deliver a suitable programme of fire safety training to the whole of the Trust workforce. Methods to include e-learning, remote training using Microsoft Teams and face to face training methods as appropriate including specialist methods where appropriate such as the use of Evac-Chair and other associated evacuation equipment.
• In conjunction with the Fire Safety Manager to produce and regularly review the Trust fire related policies and procedures, updating where appropriate and communicating to all Trust employees.
• To provide induction training of new staff in fire precautions and procedures.
• To instruct staff in fire precautions, use of fire-fighting appliances and all other fire protection methods.
• To give instruction on patient and personnel evacuation.
• To arrange and carry out fire drills/evacuations annually at agreed times in conjunction with the relevant Managers.
• Plan, organise, conducts and report on emergency planning exercises of all types, with an emphasis on fire scenarios but potentially also covering other emergency planning, risk and threat areas. This includes regular communications test exercises, other Trusts, Local Fire and other Resilience Forums and other Category 1 & 2 Responders.
• Carry out audits of the Trust portfolio on a regular basis to ensure standards of fire prevention and safety are maintained.
• To ensure that fire precautions meet the standards set out in documents issued by the Department of Health and with other statutory requirements and recommendations of relevant codes of practice.
• Liaise with Trust staff and others when conducting fire safety audits and fire risk assessments, compile standardised professional management reports as necessary and incorporate within the Estates and Facilities Directorate management systems. To provide support and guidance to the Estates & Facilities Directorate on compliance with Fire Safety legislation.
• To report all deviations from the standards statutory requirements and codes of practice to the Fire Safety Manager.
• To review new fire legislation and regulations and, where necessary, provide briefing notes and draft policies and procedures for comment/approval by appropriate groups.
• To undertake fire risk assessments in all premises managed by the Trust. Prepare reports and prioritise action plans following risk assessments.
• As appropriate, implement the proposals outlined in the action plan and/or assist in the co-ordination/implementation of the action plan.
• Monitor the implementation of the action plan and report any deviations from the plan to the appropriate Director.
• Maintain comprehensive records of all fire incidents and investigations.
• Act as Trust representative in meetings with the local fire authority.
• In collaboration with Trust services, ensure that all fire-fighting equipment is maintained and available for use at all times.
• To carry out selective testing of equipment as required, ensuring fully operational.
• To maintain records of all training, drills and risk assessments carried out on all Trust premises.
• To advise relevant Managers and Workforce and Education of staff attendance at fire lectures, training sessions etc.
• Make appropriate recommendations for future safety and to minimise unwanted fire signals based on the recorded information.
• In the event of a fire, to undertake a full investigation as to cause and, if appropriate, put forward proposals to reduce the risk of recurrence.
• To prepare ad hoc reports when required by the Fire Safety Manager, General Manager or Director of Estates & Facilities.
• Keep records of all fire incidents and false alarms, and ensure that fire reports are prepared in a timely manner to a standard format and where necessary issue remedial advice on the emergency. Manage the maintenance of fire safety records and the development of local fire safety manuals for Trust premises.
• Support the 24 hour emergency cover Fire Response Team and Fire Marshals delivering specialist training at regular intervals, attending all incidents when on site.
• Manage and supervise the adequate provision, siting and maintenance of firefighting equipment, life safety systems e.g. emergency lighting, fire safety signage and systems, ensuring all required records are maintained in a current state through audit and due diligence to confirm compliance.