Health Emergency Management (HEM) Specialist, Fire Safety

Job Summary :

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority, patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Director or Manager, Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC), the Specialist provides fire safety advice and guidance to health authority leadership, management and staff.

The Specialist works closely with health authority leadership, providing subject matter expertise and decision support, and leading after-action reviews following fire safety incidents.

The Specialist consults with a range of internal and external partners, including health authority leadership, fire departments, WorkSafeBC, and BC Office of the Fire Commissioner, to ensure fire safety plans and procedures are consistent with international standards and best practices.

The Specialist advises on fire safety compliance for Lower Mainland health authorities, and provides guidance for capital projects including redesign and development of health care facilities.

The Specialist develops provincial fire safety education and leads fire drills and training.

Duties / Accountabilities :

Works with health authority leadership on the delivery of fire safety services including determining service delivery based on the negotiated approaches agreed to and the unique needs of a particular health authority portfolio such as diagnostic imaging, laboratory, pediatrics or laundry.

Provides advice and guidance to health authority leadership, ensuring that fire and life safety principles are central to decision-making and that best practices are implemented at health authority facilities.

Leads responses to health authority fire safety incidents, providing subject matter expertise and decision support to health authority senior leadership and staff, as well as internally to HEMBC teams.

Manages and advises teams to standardize health care fire incident / alarm response, enhance fire safety education, and promote fire prevention initiatives within health authority facilities.

Leads debriefing and after-action review processes following fire safety incidents to aid continuous improvement.

Leads health authority interactions with fire departments, WorkSafeBC, and Office of the Fire Commissioner, following inspections or compliance issues.

Works with fire departments and fire safety regulatory bodes on the approaches taken to the delivery of fire safety and the management of identified fire safety issues.

Leads the development of fire safety plans for health authorities that are consistent with FPOABC guidelines and relevant, applicable and useable for the healthcare facility, and include comprehensive building and fire safety information.

As part of this service, the Specialist advises and consults with projects and planning leadership to ensure timely updates and changes are made to plans following construction and renovation.

Leads multi-stakeholder / cross-sector projects specific to the development, implementation, maintenance and evaluation of fire safety plans based on accreditation and international standards and best practices;

identifies and recommends activities and resources to support continuous improvement in fire and life safety.

Ensures fire safety compliance for health authority redesign and development projects in various complex health care settings and is responsible for consulting on fire alarm plans, fire systems integrations, and developing fire safety plans.

This includes working with contractors and senior leadership on code

consultation, safety system design advice, sharing of best practices, and ensuring appropriate fire response procedures during the build / renovation phase are in place.

Project priorities are determined through negotiating goals, objectives, deliverables and timelines with health authority leadership.

Manages the provincial Code Red online course and leads the development of fire and safety education for all health authority employees.

Facilitates in-person training and drills and delivers in-person orientations for new staff and facilities.

• Leads fire safety standards for accreditation and implements a range of comprehensive reporting tools to ensure that health authorities can demonstrate compliance with fire code requirements.
• Represents HEMBC and health authorities on committees with a wide variety of health sector and external partners at the executive, regional, and local levels.
• Leads or facilitates fire safety communication linkages across / between sites, programs and health authorities, and with external (non-health) partners.

Acts as a resource and provides health care context for fire department senior leadership.

• Provides guidance, advice and support for fire safety equipment, which may include guidelines, training, and testing, including guidance and support on how to design and maintain specialized equipment.
• Assists with developing and managing the fire safety team budget to ensure expenditures fall within budgetary guidelines.

Leads the development of project proposals and manages invoices for services provided.

Provides guidance and expertise to security and integrated protection services leaders regarding issues relating to security, staff and patient safety.

Ensures that fire extinguishers receive monthly checks to ensure compliance and coordinates the annual inspection and testing of extinguishers in accordance with Fire Code, as requested / funded by health authorities.

• Provides coaching and mentoring to staff on fire safety protocols and supports growth through feedback, instruction and encouragement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, the social sciences, geography, business administration and / or a related field and five (5) years’ recent related experience in a large institutional or campus environment working with fire and life safety education.

Fire Prevention Officer Certificate and / or Certified to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards such as :

• 1031, Fire Inspector
• 1033, Fire Investigator
• 1035, Fire & Life Safety Educator Is preferred

Demonstrated knowledge of fire & life safety in a healthcare setting.

Demonstrated knowledge of BC Fire Code & Building Codes; NFPA 101 Life Safety Code; NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities; NFPA 10, Portable Fire Extinguishers

Demonstrated knowledge of the standards, systems and response agencies related to fire and life safety and emergency management.

Excellent interpersonal and negotiations skills including the ability to present to a wide range of individuals, groups and stakeholders.

Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Ability to develop and deliver training, education programs and / or workshops.

Ability to work independently, exercise judgment to resolve problems / issues, contribute as a member of a team.

Ability to organize and prioritize work, and adapt to changing program and health authority needs.

Demonstrated ability to be flexibility in adapting to and working with a variety of situations, individuals and groups and respond to changing organizational priorities.

Demonstrates a commitment to learning and self-development; partaking in professional development opportunities and acquiring new knowledge and skills.