Fire Safety Officer
Encyclopedia
In the United Kingdom
Fire and Rescue Service a Fire Safety Officer (sometimes referred to as a Fire Officer) is a firefighter
who has attained the rank of Sub-Officer
(also known as a Watch Commander) or above, and transferred from front line operational service into the Fire Safety Department.
The term "Fire Officer" may also refer to a Fire Safety Inspector
who is of equivalent rank in the Fire Safety Section of the Fire Service.
Fire Officers also have the power to place anyone committing an offence under caution
.
While a fire officer is employed by the Fire Service, any action they undertake is done under the auspices of the Fire and Rescue Authority
.
In some Fire Brigades a Fire Officer may be civilian.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Fire and Rescue Service a Fire Safety Officer (sometimes referred to as a Fire Officer) is a firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
who has attained the rank of Sub-Officer
Sub-Officer
Sub-Officer is a term used in many military forces used to indicate ranks below commissioned officers. Sub-Officer is equivalent to the term NCO in the Commonwealth and USA...
(also known as a Watch Commander) or above, and transferred from front line operational service into the Fire Safety Department.
The term "Fire Officer" may also refer to a Fire Safety Inspector
Fire Safety Inspector
In the United Kingdom a Fire Safety Inspector is a public law enforcement officer responsible for the enforcement fire safety legislation in the United Kingdom....
who is of equivalent rank in the Fire Safety Section of the Fire Service.
Duties and powers
Fire Officers inspect all manner of commercial premises to ensure that they comply with current fire safety legislation.A fire safety officer can work anywhere local.If a premises is found to be unsafe a fire officer may prosecute the offending organization or even issue a prohibition notice closing the premises until such time that they are made safe.Fire Officers also have the power to place anyone committing an offence under caution
Police caution
A police caution is a formal alternative to prosecution in minor cases, administered by the police and other law enforcement agencies in England and Wales, and in Hong Kong...
.
While a fire officer is employed by the Fire Service, any action they undertake is done under the auspices of the Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Authority
In England and Wales a fire authority or fire and rescue authority is a statutory body made up of a committee of local councillors which oversees the policy and service delivery of a fire and rescue service...
.
Career structure
Most fire officers choose to transfer into the department because it offers the opportunity of working normal office hours as opposed to the shift system operational firefighters have to work. Others transfer because it is an alternative way chance to climb the promotional ladder or because it is an opportunity to experience another aspect of the fire service's role.In some Fire Brigades a Fire Officer may be civilian.