Posted By Phil.D.Baptiste
Sorry, its along one for a Friday, but feel free to include humour and abuse!

I am currently reviewing our establishments' provision of a Fire Safety Officer and have identified that:
historically this role has been undertaken by operational staff on basic wages £13600. This has lead to the role being transient, as within 12 months, they move up the ladder to become Officers. I have argued that this role requires requires renumeration and recognition that reflect the duties and responsibility, namely:
Fire Risk assessment,
Fire Safety Awareness Training,
FR Audit & Review, including testing and maintenance of Fire protection and fighting equipment,
SDBA Training,

My argument has been accepted, in principle, BUT, my proposal to reward the role with a minimum of £16000, but preferably £18000, has been dismissed. I have researched comparable roles on Job Centre Plus, the SHP and the FPA and I think that we should be grateful for someone at £18000...
What would you say is a fair pay for this role? And what other angles can I utilise to stengthen my case?

Thanks, Philby'

Posted By Phil.D.Baptiste
Roger,

I have a friend that is coming out of the Fire Service in a couple of years and has been researching what he will do fror the next 10...

to keep him from under the misses' feet and keep him in off-roading monies

...there are quite a few people like him from all industry backgound that want work and £18000 seemed reasonable to him but not, as you say, for a young un'....He's 50!

Philby'

Posted By Phil.D.Baptiste
Not for the present wage I wont...£13600...wouldn't do a Naomi Campbell, get out of bed, for that!

Philby'

Posted By Jasonjg
Phil

Depending on what qualifications and experience you are expecting the person to have will determine what is fair about that amount of pay.

Good points

The successful applicant gains lots of experience in fire related risk management. Obviously works as part of a larger safety team i.e. has you and possibly others for guidance on other safety related features, training, security etc. I am presuming you work for the prison service though could be wrong. That says to me, it is a secure position with good long-term prospects and job security.
An ideal position for someone who is breaking into the field. I would have applied for it.

Bad points

Nobody will stay in that position for any long period of time 18-month itchy feet syndrome. You would have to have a system so tied up because you would be constantly passing it to one user after the other. This can put people off if they are looking at learning how to develop systems, policies etc. Somehow get the feeling that this could become boring work after a while.

So back to what you are asking,

I say if you want someone to benefit from this role and you are stuck with money, tempt them with other benefits i.e. courses, your experience, practice, knowledge.

I have stopped safety related work this year to take time studying the dip 2. I currently work as an agency labourer, which is varied, and not to demanding on my study time. I get £4.80 hr and sometimes have to slog for it though I do not take work home in this type of work (mad man you think).

After my exam in December, I will then look for a safety related role. No rush I will get my benefits one day (only young).

We all have our prices/expectations, not just money. I have been offered a couple of well paid jobs and turned them down because I know I would not gain the experience I want.
If I were interested in fire safety I would find that role quite appealing as a foot in the door. Personally I am hoping to find a company with a good mentor (top safety geezer) and a varied and demanding role that offers more training and skills.

Now there’s a tall order (looking forward to at least 10 years in agency work lol)

What I am trying to say is this.

People that offer to work for less money will always be looking for other benefits of working for you. If you attend to these requirements you can at least keep them for a longer period. If you think they are just naive and not used to better money then fool be you.

Posted By Zoê
Fire Safety Officers here are operational and basically check extinguishers, carry out pre-show checks, watch some pretty pyro demos etc. They don't do fire risk assements (the boss does that), they dont produce policies or procedures. They like to burn things that visiting companies bring on site to check flamability etc.

And for this they get £25,000 +!!!

They are on a similar wage to us safety folk who do everything from operationally perform checks, to risk assess, to policy write, to investigate accidents blah blah blah.

I'm not bitter, hee hee.

Posted By Jasonjg
Zoe

Do you want another Fire Officer, sod study, money money money.

Only joking

Posted By Phil.D.Baptiste
Tom

Not here....Co-ordinators are Senior Management. We make the distinction Fire Safety Officer as opposed to Fire Officer as this confusion has come up before and we have a lot of dealings with the Fire & Rescue service!

PS, I'm going now so I'll 'see' you all Tuesday...Happy Bank Hols!

Philby'

Posted By Messy
With the attactive(!) salary package you are offering, you should consider the Building & Hotel industries route: Seek staff from Eastern Europe, Africa and India.

You should be able to provide a whole Brigade for £16,000 but I am not sure how high the fire safety standards are in Latvia and Ivory Coast!