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Fire safety officer

Fire safety officers make sure that our patients and staff are as safe as possible from the risk of fire.

Working life

Our fire safety officers make sure all our systems are safe, fire fighting equipment is well maintained and that fire doors and escape routes are of the highest standard.

Although much of the work is aimed at preventing fires, each site has an evacuation plan in case of fire. Staff need to know exactly how to evacuate large numbers of patients if necessary.

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As a fire safety officer, you'll:

  • carry out risk assessments and draw up fire plans
  • liaise with local fire services
  • investigate incidents
  • train fire wardens
  • train staff in fire prevention and evacuation drills
  • organise spot checks around the site
  • arrange regular fire alarm tests and fire drills

Who will I work with?

On a large site there may be a fire safety manager, with one or more fire safety officers. Although you are office-based, you'll spend a lot of time around the site, checking on fire safety and talking to staff. You'll have a lot of contact with managers and both clinical and non-clinical staff. You may have little or no contact with patients.

Entry requirements

NHS fire safety officers have a lot of experience in fire safety and prevention. Many have worked as fire officers in a local fire service. Employers also expect fire safety officers to have a qualification in fire safety.

Skills needed

Fire safety officers need to be

They make sure that electrical systems are safe, fire fighting equipment is well maintained and that there are suitable fire doors and escape routes.

  • interested in fire prevention
  • very health and safety aware
  • able to reassure people
  • able to stay calm in stressful situations
  • able to explain simply and clearly
  • good communication skills with people at all levels
  • good planning skills
  • good observation skills

Training and development

When you join the NHS as a fire safety officer, you will have an introduction to the NHS and the site you are responsible for. You will also be trained in NHS systems and procedures.

Fire safety officers can apply to become members of the Institute of Fire Prevention Officers [1], the Institute of Fire Safety Managers [2] or the National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers [3]. Fire safety officers need to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. These organisations run courses and conferences where they can keep up to date and network with other fire safety officers.

You may be offered the opportunity to study for a degree or masters in fire safety engineering.

  • Estates staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) [4] pay system. As a fire safety officer, you will typically start on AfC [5] band 5. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at band 6 and above. 

    Fire safety officers in the NHS work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. The job may involve some evening and weekend working. Fire safety officers may be on call [6] if there is an incident.

    Terms and conditions will usually be different for fire safety officers working outside of the NHS.

     

  • With experience in the NHS, fire safety officers can become fire safety managers, responsible for a trust or area.

     

     

  • If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to show how you think the NHS values apply in your everyday work. Find out more about NHS values. [7]

    Most NHS trusts advertise their vacancies on NHS Jobs [8]. Current vacancies are below. 

    Find a vacancy

    • Fire Safety Advisor

      London, N19 5FN

      Salary:
      £61927.00 to £68676.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Fire Safety Advisor job (opens in a new window) [9]
    • Fire Safety Advisor

      Bristol, BS10 5NB

      Salary:
      £37338.00 to £44962.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      North Bristol NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Fire Safety Advisor job (opens in a new window) [10]
    • Senior Fire Safety Advisor

      Manchester, M20 4BX

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      The Christie NHS FT
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Senior Fire Safety Advisor job (opens in a new window) [11]
    • Health, Safety, Fire and Security Manager

      Lowestoft, NR32 1DE

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      East Coast Community Healthcare CIC
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Health, Safety, Fire and Security Manager job (opens in a new window) [12]
    • Quality & Safety Trainer with Fire Experience

      Farnham, GU9 9QL

      Salary:
      £34000.00 to £36000.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      HCRG Care Group
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Quality & Safety Trainer with Fire Experience job (opens in a new window) [13]
    • Quality & Safety Trainer with Fire Experience

      Bath, BA2 5RP

      Salary:
      £34000.00 to £36000.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      HCRG Care Group
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Quality & Safety Trainer with Fire Experience job (opens in a new window) [14]
    • Patient Safety Partner

      Exeter, EX2 9HS

      Salary:
      £75.00 to £150.00
      Type:
      Bank
      Employer:
      Devon Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Patient Safety Partner job (opens in a new window) [15]
    • Patient Safety Manager

      London, N15 3TH

      Salary:
      £53751.00 to £60651.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      North London NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Patient Safety Manager job (opens in a new window) [16]
    • Patient Safety Officer

      Carmarthen, SA31 2AF

      Salary:
      £30420.00 to £37030.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Hywel Dda University Health Board
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Patient Safety Officer job (opens in a new window) [17]
    • Health & Safety Advisor

      Kendal, LA9 6AA

      Salary:
      £31180.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Elysium Healthcare
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Health & Safety Advisor job (opens in a new window) [18]
    • Medication Safety Officer

      Worthing, BN11 2DH

      Salary:
      £62215.00 to £72293.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Medication Safety Officer job (opens in a new window) [19]
    • Quality & Safety Matron

      Crewe, CW14QJ

      Salary:
      £55690.00 to £62682.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Quality & Safety Matron job (opens in a new window) [20]
    • Advisor (Patient Safety)

      Shelford Bottom, CB22 3AD

      Salary:
      £33000.00 to £43000.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Health Innovation East
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Advisor (Patient Safety) job (opens in a new window) [21]
    • Patient Safety Partner

      Truro, TR1 3LJ

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Voluntary
      Employer:
      Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Patient Safety Partner job (opens in a new window) [22]
    • Patient Safety Midwife

      London, SE18 4QH

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Patient Safety Midwife job (opens in a new window) [23]
    • Patient Safety Midwife

      OXFORD, OX3 9DU

      Salary:
      £46148.00 to £52809.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Patient Safety Midwife job (opens in a new window) [24]
    • Trainee Radiation Safety Physicist

      London, SE19RT

      Salary:
      £46419.00 to £55046.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Trainee Radiation Safety Physicist job (opens in a new window) [25]
    • Safety and Compliance Manager

      West End, W1G 6BW

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      The London Clinic
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Safety and Compliance Manager job (opens in a new window) [26]
    • Water Safety Technician (Plumber)

      Chester, CH2 1UL

      Salary:
      £26530.00 to £29114.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Water Safety Technician (Plumber) job (opens in a new window) [27]
    • Health and Safety Educator

      Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW

      Salary:
      £31049.00 to £37796.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Health and Safety Educator job (opens in a new window) [28]
    • Health & Safety Team Coordinator

      CARDIFF, CF14 4HH

      Salary:
      £26928.00 to £29551.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Health & Safety Team Coordinator job (opens in a new window) [29]
    • Senior Safety & Learning Advisor

      Cardiff / St Asaph / Swansea, CF14 3UZ

      Salary:
      £56514.00 to £63623.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Senior Safety & Learning Advisor job (opens in a new window) [30]
    • Place of Safety Worker

      Plymouth, PL6 5AF

      Salary:
      £24937.00 to £26598.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Livewell Southwest
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Place of Safety Worker job (opens in a new window) [31]
    • Deputy Patient Safety Manager

      Sheffield, S10 2JF

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Deputy Patient Safety Manager job (opens in a new window) [32]
    • Quality and Patient Safety Manager

      Shifnal, TF11 8UR

      Salary:
      £45000.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Quality and Patient Safety Manager job (opens in a new window) [33]
    • Health, Safety and Security Manager

      Darlington, DL3 6HX

      Salary:
      £53755.00 to £60504.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Health, Safety and Security Manager job (opens in a new window) [34]
    • Health Safety and Risk Lead

      317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary, NE1 4LP

      Salary:
      £53755.00 to £60504.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Health Safety and Risk Lead job (opens in a new window) [35]
    • Head of Patient Safety & Risk Management

      Coventry, CV2 2DX

      Salary:
      £55690.00 to £62682.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Head of Patient Safety & Risk Management job (opens in a new window) [36]
    • Head of Risk Health and Safety

      Southall, UB2 4SD

      Salary:
      £70396.00 to £80837.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      West London NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Head of Risk Health and Safety job (opens in a new window) [37]
    • Senior Patient Safety and Assurance Officer

      Carmarthen, SA31 2AF

      Salary:
      £37898.00 to £45637.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Hywel Dda University Health Board
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Senior Patient Safety and Assurance Officer job (opens in a new window) [38]
    • 136 Place of Safety Charge Nurse

      Hove, BN3 7HZ

      Salary:
      £38682.00 to £46580.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for 136 Place of Safety Charge Nurse job (opens in a new window) [39]
    • Clinical Governance and Patient Safety Lead

      317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary, NE1 4LP

      Salary:
      £47810.00 to £54710.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical Governance and Patient Safety Lead job (opens in a new window) [40]
    • Clinical Quality and Safety Lead Nurse (Neonatal)

      Salisbury, SP2 8BJ

      Salary:
      £46148.00 to £52809.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical Quality and Safety Lead Nurse (Neonatal) job (opens in a new window) [41]
    • Clinical Safety Officer (Core Team) - EPR Programme

      Basingstoke, RG24 9NA

      Salary:
      £62215.00 to £72293.00
      Type:
      Secondment
      Employer:
      Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical Safety Officer (Core Team) - EPR Programme job (opens in a new window) [42]
    • Deputy Lead Pharmacist: Quality, Safety and Governance

      Bournemouth, BH7 7DW

      Salary:
      £55690.00 to £62682.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Deputy Lead Pharmacist: Quality, Safety and Governance job (opens in a new window) [43]
    • Clinical Safety Officer (Core Team) - EPR Programme

      Basingstoke, RG24 9NA

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Secondment
      Employer:
      Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical Safety Officer (Core Team) - EPR Programme job (opens in a new window) [44]
    • Senior Pharmacy Technician: Quality, Safety and Aseptic Services

      Dorset, BH15 2JB

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Senior Pharmacy Technician: Quality, Safety and Aseptic Services job (opens in a new window) [45]
    • Band 8b Lead Pharmacist – Medicines Safety, Governance, R&D-Bristol

      Calne or Bristol, BS4 5BJ

      Salary:
      £64455.00 to £74896.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Band 8b Lead Pharmacist – Medicines Safety, Governance, R&D-Bristol job (opens in a new window) [46]
    • Institute of Fire Prevention Officers [47]
    • Institute of Fire Safety Managers [48]
    • National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers [49]

Other roles that may interest you

  • Security staff [50]
  • Estates technician [51]
  • Estates manager [52]
  • Health and safety officer [53]

Source URL:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/support-services/fire-safety-officer

Links
[1] http://www.ifpo.org.uk/ [2] http://www.ifsm.org.uk/ [3] http://www.nahfo.com/ [4] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/about/careers-nhs/nhs-pay-and-benefits/agenda-change-pay-rates [5] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#AfC [6] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#On_call [7] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/about/working-health/nhs-constitution [8] http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/ [9] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9220-25-0457 [10] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9339-25-0512 [11] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9413-25-0442 [12] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/B9849-082-25 [13] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0279-25-1271 [14] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0279-25-1270 [15] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9369-25-0512 [16] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9455-25-0362 [17] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/H9100-25-0838 [18] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0132-25-1161 [19] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9279-25-1281 [20] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9412-25-0415 [21] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0042-25-0002 [22] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9156-25-0338 [23] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9197-25-0679 [24] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9321-25-0942 [25] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9196-25-1297 [26] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/E0360-25-0091 [27] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9210-25-0315 [28] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9328-25-0765 [29] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/H9001-25-0603 [30] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/M9043-25-0163 [31] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/B9832-2025-NM-9967 [32] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9190-25-0838 [33] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/B0531-25-0000 [34] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9439-2526-0362 [35] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9317-25-0979 [36] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9218-25-0795 [37] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9222-25-0578 [38] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/H9100-25-0866 [39] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9354-25-0777 [40] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9317-25-0984 [41] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9269-25-0307 [42] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9251-25-0543 [43] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9153-25-0803 [44] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9251-25-0544 [45] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9153-25-0762 [46] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9342-25-0673 [47] http://www.ifpo.org.uk [48] http://www.ifpo.ork.uk [49] http://www.nahfo.com [50] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/support-services/security-staff [51] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/estates-services/estates-technician [52] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/management/roles-management/estates-manager [53] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/wider-healthcare-team/roles-wider-healthcare-team/support-services/health-and-safety-officer