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Clairel  
#1 Posted : 14 July 2010 14:51:53(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel

I may just be about to make an idiot of myself but here goes... I was sat in a RoSPA audit meeting and the auditor tutted about people not understanding that there was a difference bewteen a fire marshall and a fire warden. I said nothing. I thought a Fire Marshall and Fire warden were one and the same. I checked the guidance and that says they are the same. Am I missing something? Am I thick? Is there something I should know? Or is the joke on him not me?
Firesafetybod  
#2 Posted : 14 July 2010 15:07:40(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Firesafetybod

Hi Clairel Your right, there is no difference in the definition of a Fire Warden or Fire Marshal. I think it goes back to the time when they were called fire wardens and then the up and coming Fire safety training establishments (Internet based) decided it was time to upgrade the term to Fire Marshal as it was more in keeping with modern day thinking. Cheers
Paul Duell  
#3 Posted : 14 July 2010 15:21:36(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Paul Duell

I think going back into the dim and distant, a Fire Warden might have been someone who patrolled for fires (like a fire watch after hot works etc). But in recent times (20 years?) I've only ever heard the terms used to mean the same thing. I've recently re-titled all my wardens "Evacuation Marshals", as that much more clearly reflects what I want them to do. Wonder what RoSPA Man would say about that?
grim72  
#4 Posted : 14 July 2010 16:15:04(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
grim72

I think there may be a difference between Scottish & English Law whereby the different definitions are used in the FRAs?
Stephen  
#5 Posted : 14 July 2010 16:22:48(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Stephen

Funny, I've had a similar debate with someone on that very subject matterrecently, although that was our building landlord and not a RoSPA auditor. To me, they mean the same thing and I think that the majority of people would hold that opinion. The logic our landlord used to distinguish between the two was that fire wardens are the ones performing the sweep, they then report to the fire marshal for the check-in. Bit of a fuss over nothing I thought.
David Bannister  
#6 Posted : 14 July 2010 18:25:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
David Bannister

I have not perceived any difference in the two. Perhaps it's like the safety officer, adviser, manager etc debate: it depends on the organisation's preferences and could easily refer to identical jobs.
Firesafetybod  
#7 Posted : 14 July 2010 19:30:44(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Firesafetybod

Just to add another quote: “The role was always called Fire Warden Training until a couple of years ago when some training organisations decided to move in on the market of Fire Training. They considered that they would impress people by saying that the words Fire Warden Training was old fashioned and sounded like something from "Dads Army" whereas Fire Marshal Training was more up to date”. The only difference is in the USA – marshall’s wear a ‘six-gun’. Cheers
stephendclarke  
#8 Posted : 14 July 2010 19:43:15(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
stephendclarke

Hi, As said above what's in a name its a bit like H&S Advisor/H&S Inspector and H&S Manager, though I'd always thought the Fire Marshall was the person tasked with the responsibility for managing fire drills/evacuations ensuring they run smoothly, as intended and that there are enough wardens and each knows what they are supposed to do, typically the marshall might be located at a control point and monitor/direct operations via walkie/talkies etc. Cheers Steve
broadvalley  
#9 Posted : 14 July 2010 21:34:14(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
broadvalley

Qoute "I was sat in a RoSPA audit meeting and the auditor tutted about people not understanding that there was a difference bewteen a fire marshall and a fire warden. I said nothing" I'm a bit disapointed that an auditor would even belittle in this way and then on top of that not even explain any misunderstanding - if indeed there is.
Ciarán Delaney  
#10 Posted : 14 July 2010 22:25:21(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Claire, there is no difference. Take pity on the poor person, if they thought that they made themselves feel that little bit more self important for a few seconds.
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