Fire Safety Advisor & Trainer | Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
| Company: | Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £39,959 - £48,117 Per Annum |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Dorchester, DT1 2JY |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Posting date: | 3 Sept 2026 |
| Closing date: | 3 Oct 2026 |
Summary
Support the Fire Officer to provide expert professional guidance and support to Managers and
Staff within Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in relation to the risk management
of Fire Safety in accordance with Health Technical Memorandum 05-01: Managing healthcare
fire safety.
• To manage, organise, implement, co-ordinate and maintain full and efficient Fire Safety
practice and procedures and carry out the Fire Safety training of all Trust staff.
• To provide specialist advice to staff and outside contractors in respect of statutory Fire Safety
legislation in existing and new buildings incorporating HTM 05 (Fire Code) and the Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, with support from the Fire Officer.
• To carry out Fire Risk Assessments and to review them annually, utilising a variety of required
methodologies including HTM 05-03 Part K and prioritise action plans for all Trust properties.
• To provide support, as necessary, in carrying out ancillary duties associated with the Fire
Officer, Health & Safety Manager, and Capital Projects Teams.
For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.
Support the Fire Officer to provide expert professional guidance and support to Managers and
Staff within Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in relation to the risk management
of Fire Safety in accordance with Health Technical Memorandum 05-01: Managing healthcare
fire safety.
• To manage, organise, implement, co-ordinate and maintain full and efficient Fire Safety
practice and procedures and carry out the Fire Safety training of all Trust staff.
• To provide specialist advice to staff and outside contractors in respect of statutory Fire Safety
legislation in existing and new buildings incorporating HTM 05 (Fire Code) and the Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, with support from the Fire Officer.
• To carry out Fire Risk Assessments and to review them annually, utilising a variety of required
methodologies including HTM 05-03 Part K and prioritise action plans for all Trust properties.
• To provide support, as necessary, in carrying out ancillary duties associated with the Fire
Officer, Health & Safety Manager, and Capital Projects Teams.
UKVI Sponsorship: This rolemay be available for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Sponsorship will be determined based on your current situation and on a case-by-case basis.
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.
All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.
SCOPE AND AUTHORITY
• Liaising with the Fire Officer on all Trust Fire Safety matters and act as deputy for all fire
safety matters.
• Support the Fire Officer (Fire Safety Adviser (Authorised Person (Fire)) in providing expert
advice on fire legislation.
• Support the Health and Safety and Capital Projects Teams when required.
• Assisting in the review of the Trust fire safety policy, fire safety procedures and fire safety
protocols.
• Assisting in investigating all fire-related incidents and fire alarm actuations and supporting the
Fire Response Teams.
• Liaising with the enforcing authorities on technical issues in support of the Fire Officer.
• Liaising directly with managers and staff on fire safety issues.
• Supporting the maintenance, preparation and required changes to fire prevention and
emergency evacuation plans in accordance with the Trust Fire and Evacuation Strategy.
• Act as Fire Safety Adviser (Authorised Person (Fire Training)) delivering the Trust Fire Safety
Training programme in accordance with the Training Needs Analysis, by delivering face to
face training sessions to managers and staff and carrying out fire evacuation drills.
• Act as Fire Safety Adviser (Authorised Person (Fire Risk Assessment)) undertaking and
recording Fire Risk Assessments validated by the Fire Officer using the required
methodologies including HTM 05-03 Part K.
• Prioritise and follow up on Fire Risk Assessment action plans.
• Support the Fire Officer (Fire Safety Adviser (Authorised Person (Fire Projects)) in providing
fire safety advice for any proposed building works ensuring that existing or proposed fire
safety strategies are suitable and that any derogations from the HTM 05 Firecode series are
suitably recorded and justified.
STANDARDS OF FIRE SAFETY
• To visit all areas of the Trust on a regular basis to ensure standards of Fire Safety is
maintained.
• To ensure that Fire Safety standards meet those set out in documents issued by the
Department of Health & Social Care and within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
2005.
• To report all deviations from the standard’s statutory requirements and codes of practice to all
relevant personnel.
• To provide advice on structural Fire Safety for existing and new buildings and proposed
alterations to buildings.
• To review new Fire Safety legislation and Regulations and, where necessary, provide briefing
notes and draft policies and procedures for comment/approval by appropriate meeting groups.
• To attend the Fire Safety Group and provide advice where required.
• Able to plan own workloads and priorities using risk information including complex activities.
Work with the specialist Capital Project planning teams to enable delivery of projects in a
timely manner and identify any necessary additional resource required.
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT - FIRE SAFETY ADVISER (AUTHORISED PERSON (FIRE RISK
ASSESSMENT))
• To undertake Fire Risk Assessments and carry out regular reviews in all Trust premises (both
onsite and offsite including staff accommodation) managed by the Trust and to prepare
reports and produce action plans ensuring all actions are tracked and completed.
• Undertake Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) assessments when requested.
FIRE SAFETY TRAINING - FIRE SAFETY ADVISER (AUTHORISED PERSON (FIRE
TRAINING))
• To provide Fire Safety instruction, presentations and practical training to all levels of NHS
staff, including part-time and voluntary workers.
• To provide induction training of new staff in Fire Safety and procedures.
• To instruct staff in the use of fire extinguishers.
• To give instructions on patient, staff and visitors evacuation procedures.
• To arrange and carry out fire drills/evacuations at agreed times in conjunction with the Heads
of Departments.
• To manage training schedules and requirements in line with the TNA.
LIAISON & LOCAL FIRE AUTHORITY
• Be the Trust’s secondary contact with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS),
maintaining a close working relationship and arranging any necessary site visits to be made
by them (in the absence of the Fire Officer).
• To ensure that the DWFRS is informed of Fire Safety arrangements, site and building layout
and availability of water supplies for firefighting.
• In the absence of the Fire Officer, ensure that DWFRS are informed about any special fire or
life risk.
• To arrange for the Fire and Rescue Service’s attendance at drills or exercises.
EQUIPMENT & RECORDS
• In collaboration with the Fire Officer, ensure that all firefighting equipment is maintained and
available for use at all material times
• To monitor contractors and in-house staff to ensure such equipment is maintained correctly
• To monitor the selective testing of equipment as required ensuring fully operational, this shall
include fire alarms and detectors, extinguishers, emergency lighting, etc.
• To keep a record of all training visits made, drills carried out and Fire Risk Assessments
throughout all the Trust premises
• Maintain the register of all fire incidents and other fire related matters. Provide reports, as
required, to the Trust and Department of Health & Social Care, with support from the Fire
Officer.
• Produce statistics and annual report as and when required
• Make appropriate recommendations for future Fire Safety to the Fire Officer, and to minimise
false fire alarms based on the recorded information, for them to escalate for approval and
action.
FIRE & FALSE ALARMS
• In the event of a fire, attend site during working hours and support Fire Response Team if
deemed necessary.
• In the event of a fire, to support the Fire Officer in undertaking an investigation as to the cause
and, if appropriate, put forward proposals to reduce the risk of a recurrence.
• To prepare and submit reports relating to fires and false alarms.
TEAM WORKING
• Work in conjunction with the Fire Officer, greater Estates & Facilities teams, Capital Projects,
Clinical Site Managers, Internal Fire Response Teams and Fire Safety Group.
• Contribute appropriately to all aspects of the Trust’s Fire Risk Assessment and training
workload, thus helping to achieve a robust Fire Safety Management System.
• Organise, manage and attend the Fire Safety Group meetings. Deputise for the Chair (Fire
Officer) when necessary
• Attend and contribute to team meetings, various working groups and training sessions
• Manage, with support of the Fire Officer, the Trust Fire Wardens and Staff and liaise with them
on a regular basis in relation to Fire Safety Procedures and Protocols.
Personal Development
• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, technological and good practice changes within the
Fire Safety Sector.
• Maintain a detailed knowledge of the existing Estate, as well as planned
changes/developments.
• Ensure that relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is undertaken.
• Regularly attend relevant courses and NAHFO meetings, to maintain liaison between Partners
• Maintain Memberships and Third-Party Accreditation where required.
This advert closes on Wednesday 30 Sep 2026
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
