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“I am a Specialist Fire Safety Adviser employed by the Trust to look after all aspects of fire across the Trust estate. I am also an elected member of the Trust’s council of governors for York Hospital. 

“My role as Fire Safety Adviser is varied and at times challenging, with my responsibilities ranging from training staff to offering advice on capital projects and carrying out risk assessments. All of this ensures that as a Trust we remain compliant with national legislation and NHS guidance requirements.

“I have been with the Trust for just over 10 years, having served in the RAF for 31 years as a firefighter. During that period I was fortunate to serve on a number of units at home and abroad, such as Germany, Belize, Cyprus and the Netherlands along with detachments to the US, the Falkland Islands, Kuwait, Sardinia and New Zealand.

“When I left the RAF as a Flight Sergeant in 2007, having gained all that experience, I wanted to remain within the fire safety profession. The NHS seemed a natural progression and for me was a good fit. So when the opportunity arose to join the Trust in 2008, in a role I was both comfortable and familiar with, it almost felt like an extension of my military career and enabled me to continue in public service.

“My job gives me enormous satisfaction, no two days are alike and there is always something happening. I am especially proud to be, in this our 70th year, one small cog in the team that is York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. 

“My role as a member of the council of governors saw me elected to the board by staff members of the Trust. Alongside my Fire Safety Adviser position it affords me plenty of opportunity to meet and get to know colleagues at every level. What is always apparent with all the staff I meet is the professionalism and dedication they all have and just how focused they are in putting the welfare and care of our patients first and at the centre of everything we do. 

“The biggest change I’ve seen in my relatively short NHS career to date is the constant financial pressure that’s put on the organisation. It seems as though every year we are faced with yet another target to meet or another saving to make. Despite this, we can be proud of what we have and continue to achieve.

“The best advice I was ever given was from one of my former crew commanders in the RAF, who said; “remember the 5 P’s young man and you won’t go far wrong, Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”.

21 September 2018

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