Head of Fire Safety

Reed Talent Solutions are currently working with a West Yorkshire based Local Authority to recruit a Head of Health and Safety on an initial 3-month contract. The post-holder will report directly to the Service Director for Property, Facilities and Health and Safety and work closely with the corporate health and safety team, property compliance team and external contractors.

Role Information

• 3 month contract with potential to extend
• Location - Wakefield
• £500 daily LTD contract rate (INSIDE IR35)

Key Responsibilities

• Work to ensure that there is a consistent and developed fire safety policy and culture across the Council.
• Ensure the production of records and reports meets all fire safety legislative requirements including owning and annually reviewing the Fire Risk Management Strategy, The fire safety policy, technical guidance, fire strategies and the Contractors Fire Code in line with BSI 9997 standard for Fire Safety Management.
• Provide expert fire safety advice to all services across the council.
• Provide and receive complex information regarding fire safety legislation, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and other associated fire guidance for the benefit of the Council.
• Ensure systems and resources are in place and be responsible for auditing and monitoring life safety fire systems, provision of fire safety staff, training, inspections, and fire risk assessments.
• Formulate, approve and deliver programmes of Fire safety training to all staff to meet statutory and mandatory requirements
• Work with colleagues across the Council to develop and implement service changes and formulation of governance and assurance procedures, such as committees and reports, to ensure the Council’s compliance with statutory and mandatory requirements.
• Liaise with the Emergency Planning and Corporate Health and Safety Teams as well as external organisations to develop, implement and review the organisation’s fire emergency plan(s).
• Advise the Service Director Property, Facilities and Health and Safety in the interpretation of current and future government legislation and other official guidance in respect of fire safety in Council premises.
• Carry out safety audits with other members of staff and contribute to periodic authoritative reports to management concerning the condition of fire precautions in the Council premises.
• Assist and support the Property Compliance and Health and Safety teams.
• Outside of the Fire Risk Assessment programme, identify, assess and manage fire risks in Council premises and assist with reports to management recommending prioritised actions in respect of fire safety improvements.

Essential Criteria

• Active member of the Institution of Fire Engineers or Institute of Fire Safety Managers.
• Qualification in fire prevention or fire safety, e.g., a combination of both the NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management and NEBOSH General Certificate or an equivalent level 4 RQF accredited fire risk assessment.
• Committed to continuous professional development and possess comprehensive and up to date knowledge, experience and understanding of fire legislation, building regulations, and building fire precautions.
• Demonstrable experience of strategic fire safety at a senior management level in a multi-site complex organisation and have experience of planning and implementation of fire prevention; protection and intervention; contributing to the development of fire policy, managing operational fire safety risk; fire training and fire education.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with key customers, stakeholders, and colleagues at all levels. The ability to challenge appropriately and robustly to ensure adherence to procedures.
• Work comfortably under your own initiative as part of a multidisciplinary team building and maintaining strong collaborative partnerships to achieve organisational goals, whilst upholding the values of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Written and oral communications skills will be strong and you will have the ability to produce reports, determine solutions and mitigate risks.