The Role
Post: False Fire Alarm Reduction Officer
Grade: FRS D
Starting salary: £34,751 per annum
Salary range for the FRS D grade: £34,751 - £39,981 per annum
Status: 2-year Fixed-Term contract (with potential to extend/become permanent)
Closing date: Tuesday 03 September 2019 at 16:00 GMT
This role is ideally suited to someone with knowledge and experience of fire alarm maintenance and an understanding of the causes and solutions to false alarm issues. The position includes funding to undertake the FIA industry qualifications (an AO Level 3 in fire detection and alarm design/installation/maintenance/commissioning) that, along with the experience of working from a Fire Rescue Service perspective, would significantly aid future career progression. This exciting opportunity includes potential for it to be extended beyond the initial two year period and the chance to help shape a new dedicated team within the London Fire Brigade (LFB). The team is tasked with supporting actions to improve fire alarm management and reduce fire false alarm calls, particularly false alarms that LFB are asked to attend. (False alarms passed to Fire & Rescue Services are known as Unwanted Fire Signals (UwFS)).
A primary aspect of the role is to address persistent calls from false alarms and the collection of data to support LFB’s cost recovery programme. You will be a member of a team educating owners of alarm systems in fire alarm management and supporting the LFB false alarm reduction programme. You will work with alarm system owners, LFB inspecting officers, LFB Borough Commanders and other LFB/fire industry representatives. Following initial training (with ongoing support provided), a high degree of autonomy will be required. You can expect to produce reports, support and deliver learning objectives to fire safety inspecting officers and support recording practices. You’ll need to be accurate, good at working with others, open to training opportunities and able to travel across London in the course of carrying out fire alarm reduction duties.
Relevant background reading to the role can be found on the National Fire Chief’s Council (NFCC) website:
• False alarm and UwFS reduction guidance https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/NFCC%20Guidance%20publications/Protection/Unwanted%20fire%20alarms/
CFOA_Guideline_for_the_Reduction_Brochure_June__2014.pdf
• Monitoring Organisations Code of Practice https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/NFCC%20Guidance%20publications/Protection/Unwanted%20fire%20alarms/
CFOA_Code_Practice_Brochure_June_2014.pdf
• Causes of false alarms in buildings https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/BRE-projectFurther
information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the attached job description.
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications will not be accepted.
We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Assessment Overview
As part of the online application form, candidates must provide evidence to address the following criteria:
Selection Criteria 1 - Experience of applying the provisions of technical codes and standards, including those relating to the installation/maintenance of automatic fire alarm systems.
Selection Criteria 2 - Effective oral communication and interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with Brigade personnel and members of the public and to negotiate with outside professionals in the pursuit of Brigade objectives.
Selection Criteria 3 - Effective written communication skills in order to prepare written reports/letters in plain English as well as documents of a legal/technical nature.
Selection Criteria 4 - Analytical, research and planning skills in order to assess the effectiveness of UwFS reduction fire safety solutions in a variety of premises.
Assessment for this role is due to place mid/late-September 2019. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
Additional Information
In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a basic criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences which are not spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory. Successful candidates should apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to get a copy of their criminal record and share the original disclosure certificate with the LFC. The check will only show convictions that are not ‘spent’. It will cost the successful candidates £25 (current charge) and usually takes up to 14 days.
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