Fire Safety Matters Podcast - Episode 6

The Fire Safety Matters (FSM) Podcast is hosted by the magazine’s Editor Brian Sims and Western Business Media’s CEO Mark Sennett and is available fortnightly on Wednesdays. The FSM Podcast is sponsored by The Fire Safety Event, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham on 27-28 April 2021. 

In Episode 6, Brian interviews Peter Aldridge, general secretary of the National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers (NAHFO) and also general manager of estates, fire and security for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Aldridge outlines in great detail how the NAHFO is structured and explains its key role and remit.

What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic exerted on the general role of fire safety managers operating on behalf of the NHS? Aldridge offers his considered views on the matter.

Interestingly, this wholly dedicated fire safety professional has been involved in preparatory and management work relating to the 500-bed NHS Nightingale Hospital located at the Harrogate Convention Centre that was opened back in April (and which will now remain so until the end of July). Aldridge explains his role in establishing this critical care facility and outlines the key learning outcomes from the whole process.

The Government’s fire safety standards for the NHS briefly mention, but stop short of committing to the installation of sprinklers. That guidance also repeatedly states that, where sprinklers are used, other fire prevention measures may be reduced for the purposes of cost-effectiveness. As a practitioner, where does Aldridge stand on this issue? Listen to Episode 6 of the Fire Safety Matters Podcast if you want to find out.

Membership of the NAHFO allows practitioners to gain vital Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. Ongoing instruction and learning is so vital for today’s fire safety managers and Aldridge eloquently explains why before also turning his attentions towards the key goals for the NAHFO both in the short and longer terms.

In Episode 6 of the FSM Podcast, Mark chats once again with leading fire safety lawyer Warren Spencer who references a recent news item on the Fire Safety Matters website.

There’s an interview with Craig Halford, managing director at Jactone Products, who offers further comment on the excellent feature he wrote for the April 2020 edition of Fire Safety Matters (pp43-45) on the subject of product compliance.

As always, the editorial team analyses the latest major news emerging from the fire sector.

You can listen to the FSM Podcast for free on iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. To download the FSM Podcast all you need to do is enter ‘Fire Safety Matters’ into the search box.

Alternatively, you can listen to the FSM Podcast online at fsmpodcast.podbean.com or via our YouTube channel by clicking HERE.

*If there are any specific subjects you would like to see featured in an upcoming Fire Safety Matters Podcast please do contact us. You can do so on Twitter by using the hashtag #FSMPodcast. Alternatively, send an e-mail direct to bsims@westernbusiness.media