Equipment Manager

Grade: 8

Post Number: 0683

Conditions of Service: APT & C

Responsible to: ACO Director Finance and Resources

Responsible for: Management of the Equipment Section

General Description of Post

To undertake a range of duties that provides Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service with the best possible appliances and equipment to meet the operational needs of the Service making best use of available resources.

To develop risk assessment based safe systems of work for the use of equipment within the service and the safe operation and introduction of new appliances, systems and equipment.

To be the operational technical lead and advisor to the service to ensure operational capability and effectiveness of equipment. Responsible for the research and development of new equipment, appliance stowage etc.

Specific duties

The post holder will be responsible to lead the equipment team through the following functions of the equipment section within the overall engineering function

1. To manage and support the staff within the equipment team as their immediate line manager.
2. Research the introduction of new appliances and the associated equipment on those new appliances in conjunction with the Head of Engineering. This will include the formation of, and acting as the lead for, any appropriate working groups.
3. Undertake development of new appliances and equipment in conjunction with suppliers and other sections of the service.
4. Lead the equipment section in the introduction of new equipment, working with outside suppliers where required to rectify faults or deal with issues on new appliances or equipment.
5. Lead the equipment section with the design of new appliances particularly with regard to Stowage and equipment specification, where appropriate.
6. Maintain and develop the equipment replacement programme taking account of expected life and best use of equipment. Minimise the budget impacts of replacement by scheduling a sustainable replacement program where appropriate.
7. Identify developments to equipment and make recommendations for upgrade, replacement or removal from service.
8. Ensure that any training / user documentation to support new equipment is prepared prior to its introduction. Advise the Operational Response section regarding the creation of Standard Operating Procedures and Technical information Documents, also to liaise with the L&D section to ensure that training is updated regarding equipment use.
9. Lead the Engineering section in the investigation of events. (“Event” means accident, near miss or dangerous occurrence)
10. The post holder may have to attend formal meetings both inside and outside the service. They may also need to attend factory or workshop type premises. The Service will provide appropriate Clothing and or PPE where required.
11. Lead and direct the evaluation testing of proposed vehicles or equipment
12. Maintain a close liaison with manufacturers for the purpose of product development or solving of product issues that may have arisen.
13. Liaise closely with the Estates and Procurement manager during periods of contract negotiation.
14. Provide help and advice to vehicle and equipment users as required.
15. Ensure that valuable user friendly feedback to the engineering section staff in regard to vehicles and equipment tasks/projects is carried out.
16. Identify and feedback any shortfalls in existing equipment and or appliances to suppliers and/or manufacturers. Create any equipment staff briefings to address any issues from equipment use.
17. Ensure that the acceptance checks of new vehicles/equipment at the supplier prior to delivery and or entry into service are undertaken.
18. Ensure that standard test procedures and any other documentation regarding equipment is created and kept up to date for access by the end user or responsible person.
19. Ensure that the asset management of equipment is applied and ensure that equipment is maintained and tested to the required standard. Including by outside insurers to meet legislation i.e. LOLER etc.
20. Control and planning of the budget both for the equipment section itself and for all equipment in the Service.
21. Plan, support and control the workload of the equipment section.
22. Advise the head of engineering/ F&R director and other senior managers on the technical and operational development and direction for new and existing equipment.
23. Write reports to the senior management team (CMB) in respect of projects or recommendations and compile any business cases to support them in decision making.
24. To undertake any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities and grade of the post as defined, subject to the proviso that normally any significant changes of a permanent nature should be incorporated into the job description in specific terms.

Specific Health & Safety Responsibilities

25. Ensure that risk assessments are carried out in order to remove/reduce/control any potential risk from new or existing equipment and appliances.
26. Ensure risk assessments are to a standard that meets the requirements of health and safety legislation; e.g. PUWER, LOLER, Personal Protective Equipment Regulations, Manual Handling Operations Regulations, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
27. Ensure that the risk controls identified by the risk assessment process inform the content of Standard Tests, SOPs, TIDs, TIFs, user documentation and training courses necessary.
28. Ensure a library of risk assessments is compiled and kept current and that these are amended in the light of experience of equipment use/performance and/or reviewed on at least an annual basis
29. Attend Service Health and Safety and Welfare Committee to contribute on any matters within the post-holder’s remit.
30. Oversee the design, execution and analysis of pilot schemes with a view to obtaining health and safety risk management data to inform subsequent decisions.

General Responsibilities (all employees)

1. Health and Safety

   To take reasonable care for your own health and safety and work and that of other persons who may be affected by your work activities.

   To co-operate with Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue’s attempts to comply with health and safety legislation. Where appropriate you must safeguard the health and safety of all persons affected by the work activities you supervise at any premises you have control over.

   To work in a safe manner in which you have been trained and instructed and advise your line manager of any health and safety problems you become of aware of.

   To familiarise yourself with the contents of the Service’s Written Safety Policy.

To take proper care in handling, operation and safeguarding of any equipment, vehicles or appliance, used or issued by the Service or provided or issued by a third party for individual or collective use in the performance of the job holder’s duties

1. Equalities

   To uphold the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fairness at Work and Equal Opportunities policies and practices and to treat all colleagues, service users and contacts with respect and in accordance with the expectations laid down by the Service.

   To promote and deliver fair and quality services that are sensitive and responsive to all service users.

2. Code of Conduct

   To adhere to the standards of the Code of Conduct established by the Service.

3. Protective Security

   To comply with security measures to protect against unauthorised access to Service assets, or unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure of information, including information held on computer, ensuring adherence to NFRS policies and data protection law.

   To undertake any training and operation of new technologies and new systems as required.

   Or:
   To work within current legislation, Service policies and procedures and Service Values.

   Or:
   Comply with all Service Policies, guiding frameworks and legal requirements.

   Maintain up to date knowledge and understanding of relevant data protection legal requirements.