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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a fire safety director. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a fire safety director.

 

Who is a Fire Safety Director?

A fire safety director is a safety professional who is in charge of improving and executing fire safety plans that address fire safety systems to protect lives and properties. He is also called a fire and life safety director. This professional is a certified individual who is responsible for a building’s fire safety protocols and related jobs. In general, a Fire Safety Director must be present on-site during regular business hours in any structure that is categorized as a high-rise office building, hotel, or building that has voluntarily installed fire alarm systems with two-way voice communication systems. This director must carry out facility fire safety inspections and put emergency evacuation plans into action by the local fire department’s laws and regulations.

Protecting lives and property is the major responsibility of a fire safety director. This entails creating a fire safety plan that targets certain fire and life safety systems, as well as planning, developing, implementing, and monitoring it. The director needs to be knowledgeable about current fire safety regulations for homes, buildings, and other structures to perform this successfully. The general objective and each aspect of a fire safety plan is carried out by the individuals that are trained and overseen by a fire safety director. A fire safety director may work for cities, counties, or private businesses that require a competent individual to oversee fire safety for several structures or properties. The director is responsible for managing everyone involved in executing the fire safety mission. To ensure that staff members understand their tasks and job functions, he is also accountable for giving them clear direction, information, and support.

A fire safety director’s primary duty is to ensure that all properties have the necessary fire and life safety systems and equipment. To fire safety regulations, fire protection equipment including fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, or other fire suppression systems is often required. Fire safety directors must ensure that these systems are correctly installed, appropriate for known fire threats, and fully operational. This can entail organizing, planning, and running fire exercises to evaluate system readiness. Every building or piece of property must have emergency plans in place, overseen by the fire director, so that residents know what to do and where to go in case of an emergency. The plans for safe and prompt evacuations and emergency response must be adequate and well-developed, according to the fire director.

Moreover, the director must seek advice and assistance from nearby fire departments and emergency responders to develop a strong, practical response plan. Fire directors are required to organize and carry out regular fire safety inspections. These inspections look at property safety precautions and evaluate fire risks. Procedures for preventing unwanted entry to properties and managing guest access are examples of such security precautions. This kind of inspection is intended to reduce the possibility that suspicious individuals may enter a property and cause damage. Directors must ensure that any inadequacies are immediately resolved. As the Fire Safety Director, you will welcome clients, customers, and vendors and serve as a representative of the firm to everyone that enters the facility through the main lobby. A professional manner, the capacity to manage a variety of daily activities, and exceptional communication skills are required of the successful candidate. This position also requires assistance with facility maintenance, employee health and safety standards, and other associated service requirements.

 

Fire Safety Director Job Description

Below are the fire safety director job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

The duties and responsibilities of the fire safety director include the following:

• Ensure residents are prepared for emergencies by creating evacuation plans and conducting fire drills.
• Update and maintain the building’s fire suppression systems, alarms, and infrastructure for evacuation
• Teach others about fire safety procedures and keep an eye on any additional safety personnel, such as fireguards
• Oversee any additional safety responsibilities or equipment in the building they administer.
• Create and put into action a plan for the building or hotel’s fire safety and prevention.
• Alert building inhabitants and ask for their assistance in evacuating the premises in the event of a fire.
• Inform the fire department of the location of the fire, the status of the evacuation, and any issues with the building’s systems or its occupants.
• Assist and counsel the fire department when combating fires
• Train fire and evacuation supervisors and supervise fire wardens.
• Conduct routine checks and keep records.
• Determine the facility’s fire hazards and provide suitable solutions to remove or mitigate them.
• Conduct emergency exercises to make sure that everyone on staff is aware of their duties in an emergency.
• Verify that the equipment is safe to use and that it is functioning properly.
• Review fire safety policies frequently to make sure they comply with the most recent rules.
• Organize campus fire safety education programs for both students and faculty.
• Keep fire safety equipment, such as extinguishers, alarms, sprinklers, and smoke detectors, in good working order.
• Carry out inspections for fire safety in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Direct firefighting efforts during emergencies.
• Keep records of all fire drills and accidents to help identify areas for improvement.
• Develop, implement, and maintain fire safety policies and procedures by local, state, and federal regulations.
• Conduct fire drills and evacuation drills regularly to make sure all staff members are aware of the correct process
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance and repairs, and inspect all fire extinguishers once a month.
• Investigate every fire on corporate property, no matter how big or what the cause was, and send thorough reports to the relevant authorities.
• Maintain a current understanding of fire safety laws and regulations, and take any necessary training.
• Instruct staff on fire safety best practices through frequent meetings and presentations.
• Operate as the point of contact for every fire safety inspection carried out by external organizations
• Keep up with emerging innovations in fire safety goods and technology, and suggest managerial enhancements.
• Cooperate with other departments to keep all fire exits open and clear at all times.
• Monitor employee adherence to fire safety policies and apply discipline when appropriate
• Prepare a yearly budget for fire safety and propose it to upper management.
• Carry out any additional tasks imposed by management.

 

Qualifications

• High school diploma GED or an equivalent education
• Bachelor’s degree or Associate degree in fire science is a plus.
• Demonstrated work experience in fire safety management
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Practical knowledge of fire safety codes and regulations
• Must pass a background check to qualify.
• Certification from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or International Fire Code Council (IFCC) is required.

 

Essential Skills

• Communication and interpersonal skills: Fire safety directors interact with a wide range of individuals, including staff members, subcontractors, insurance agents, building inspectors, and other fire safety experts. You may resolve issues, answer inquiries, and relay essential information by using effective communication skills. Fire safety directors regularly communicate verbally (through phone calls and in-person meetings) as well as in writing (by emails, letters, and reports). To work effectively with your coworkers and the numerous groups you engage with regularly, you must be able to speak clearly and listen intently. You can develop relationships with other professionals and ensure effective communication between your department and other parties involved in fire safety by using strong interpersonal skills. You can also be required to conduct media interviews or give public speeches regarding fire safety issues. Strong public speaking skills can help you ensure that you represent both your department and yourself in the best possible way.
• Leadership skills: Directors of fire safety are in charge of leading and supervising a group of staff members and firemen. A fire safety director’s ability to inspire and motivate their team and ensure that they are accomplishing their goals can be traced to their effective leadership capabilities. When a fire safety director interacts with other team members, such as the fire department chief, they can benefit from their leadership skills.
• Technical knowledge: To comprehend the numerous components of fire safety and how to put them into practice, fire safety directors need technical knowledge. They must know how to maintain the many kinds of fire safety equipment, including sprinkler systems, alarm systems, and emergency exits. Also, they must be aware of the various fire safety training programs, including those for disaster preparedness and response and fire prevention.
• Problem-solving skills: To create and carry out fire safety plans for their organizations, fire safety directors commonly employ their problem-solving skills. They can also use their problem-solving skills to find and fix any problems that come up while putting their fire safety strategies into practice. A fire safety director, for instance, would use their problem-solving skills to identify and resolve any difficulties that come up when putting new fire alarm systems or emergency response protocols into place.
• Decision-making skills: Fire safety directors make a lot of decisions every day, and their ability to make judgments can help them choose what is best for their organization. Fire safety directors can use their decision-making skills to decide on budgeting, hiring, training, and other responsibilities.

 

How to Become a Fire Safety Director

Step 1. Obtain education

Although a high school diploma or its equivalent is the minimum educational requirement for becoming a fire safety director, some fire safety directors are usually required to have a bachelor’s degree in fire science, fire protection, or a similar specialty. You can acquire the information and abilities required for this profession by taking courses in fire science and public safety offered by several high schools. Fire prevention, fire protection engineering, fire service administration, fire behavior, fire investigation, fire service management, fire service organization, and fire service finance are some of the courses offered in a bachelor’s degree program. Before pursuing certification, you might also consider completing first aid, CPR, and other emergency response training classes to hone your skills.

Step 2. Acquire work experience

Before applying for a management position, the majority of fire safety directors need to have at least five years of relevant experience. Firefighter, fire inspector, and fire investigator are examples of entry-level positions. Working closely with front-line firefighters in these positions enables you to improve your skills and understanding of fire safety regulations. You may also work as an assistant or deputy fire chief, in which case you would be in charge of overseeing fire personnel and making sure that all fire safety procedures were followed. Directors of fire safety often do an apprenticeship or internship as part of their on-the-job training. Aspiring fire safety directors can get expertise in the field while working under the guidance of an experienced fire safety director through internships and apprenticeships.

Step 3. Obtain certifications

Fire safety directors typically need to obtain certification in the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out their duties. Depending on the specific needs of the building they oversee, fire safety directors may need to acquire one or more certifications. Acquire a certification from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA is a nonprofit organization that creates and supports fire safety education programs, standards, and rules. You must apply and pay the certification fee before you may become certified as a fire life safety director. The next step is to take an exam that covers subjects including public education, emergency preparedness, and fire protection systems. For directors of fire and life safety, the NFPA offers numerous certificates.

The fire inspector I or fire marshal I certificate, which requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in fire protection or related fields, is the most fundamental certification. Candidates who possess this certification are qualified to serve as fire marshals or fire inspectors. The fire inspector II/fire marshal II certificate, which requires five years of experience in fire prevention or allied sectors, is a more advanced certification. People who hold this level of certification are qualified to assess fire alarm systems and other fire detection equipment. Fire life safety directors are required by the NFPA to complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education each year. Attending webinars, workshops, or seminars on fire safety and other emergency response issues is one way to do this. Depending on the state in which you work, the specific requirements for continuing education may change. Additionally, several states demand that directors of fire life safety possess extra credentials in particular branches of fire safety. Before beginning this career path, make sure to verify with your employer any applicable state rules.

 

Where to Work as a Fire Safety Director

Fire safety directors can work in different places such as office buildings, factories, and other medium-sized and large workplaces. They usually work full-time, and some of them may be required to work beyond 40 hours per week. Fire safety directors often work during normal business hours, and they would need to be on call 24 hours a day in case of an emergency. Fire safety directors usually have to travel to different locations and workplaces to carry out inspections and to meet with managers and employees of the workplace.

 

Fire Safety Director Salary Scale

The salaries of fire safety directors can significantly vary depending on some factors such as the location of the office, the size of the building the director oversees, years of experience, and level of education. A person working as a Fire Safety Director in Nigeria typically earns about 2,190,000 NGN per year. The salary range from 1,010,000 NGN to 3,480,000 NGN per year.

The salaries of Fire Safety Directors in the United States range from $34,260 to $92,120, with a median salary of $56,730 per year. The average salary of a  Fire Safety Director in the United Kingdom is £42857 annually, ranging from £26500 to £72800. In Canada, Fire Safety Directors’ average salary is  $71,208 per year. The salaries start from $46,800  to $95,255 per year.

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