Fire Safety Manager

Who are we?

GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel’s railway - one of the most prestigious networks in the world. We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services. With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 275 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK’s top tourist destinations.

We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empowering our team of over 6,000 people from all different backgrounds to make it a great experience for our customers. Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel – relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

About the team?

The Fire Safety Manager is responsible for arranging and overseeing the fire management contract for fire risk assessments and fire extinguisher maintenance in conjunction with key stakeholders, reporting on the performance of the contractor and associated KPI’s and ensure availability of fire training courses for all colleagues. The role includes the management of fire safety requirements for all staffed locations on the GWR network including co-located sites regarding training and the annual fire risk assessment and extinguisher programme.

The Fire Safety Manager is identified as a key stakeholder in GWRs Asset Management System for ‘Projects’, introducing new assets or modifications to existing assets, across GWRs operational property portfolio throughout the project life cycle delivery. Including the development and construction of new stations.

Your main responsibilities will be:

To be the lead and subject matter expert managing the fire risk assessment process, assessing risks across our network, and implementing appropriate fire safety control measures.

• Update and maintain fire management safety procedures
• Chair the fire safety improvement group and associated meetings
• Log and manage to closure, all actions resulting from Fire Risk Assessments and provide guidance to location managers
• Manage the annual Fire Risk Assessment / Fire Extinguisher schedule across all GWR sites
• Ensure all fires are reported and investigated, highlighting any lessons learnt via the improvement / working groups
• Keep up to date on all fire and fire related legislation, relevant standards and ACOPs / GNs
• Provide the business with learnings from internal and external incidents and emerging risks
• Provide monthly dashboard reports with KPI performance including commentary, concerns and action planning
• Provide subject matter expertise to and lead on, fire safety elements to ‘Projects’ throughout its project life cycle delivery
• Liaising with the Fire & Rescue Service for expert advice and exercising programmes
• Attend Programme Assurance Steering Groups covering Fire Safety requirements
• Provide technical support as required to Property Asset Management team
• Provide fire safety guidance to support the Safety Validation process.

You’ll need to be:

A skilled communicator, you’ll enjoy working with people, building, and maintaining strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners. You’ll be able to influence colleagues and stakeholders across all levels of GWR and providing practical and cost-effective solutions.

Being the subject matter expert, you’ll provide your expertise to Projects and be used to working under pressure and to timescales.

As a minimum, you’ll need to have:

• Fire Risk Assessment / NEBOSH Fire qualification
• NEBOSH general certificate or suitable other safety qualification
• Previous experience in a similar fire management role
• Working knowledge of BS9999 and BS9992
• A thorough understanding of fire and related safety standards, ideally including railway specific standards.

About the location?

The Safety Team have a base in Milford House but work across the GWR network, the location for this role is flexible. Due to the nature of the role there will be a need to travel to other locations on occasion.

Working Pattern?

Full time, 37 hours per week.

The Reward?

As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including on-going development, defined benefit pension scheme, free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family, company-sponsored health care plan, discounted shopping and gym membership and an employee assistance programme.

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/