Fire Safety Associate
Job Description
Job Category: Support Services
- The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.
Job Details
Description
Who We Are:
Episcopal Health Services Inc. (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. EHS provides inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care to the diverse populations of the Rockaways, Five Towns, South Nassau, and beyond. The system offers comprehensive preventive, diagnostic, and rehabilitative services to people of all faiths.
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission’s Health Facilities Accreditation Program and is approved by the New York State Department of Health. The hospital is a recipient of the Gold-Plus Get with the Guidelines®-Stroke Quality Achievement Award and the Gold-Plus Get with the Guidelines®-Heart Failure Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. Additionally, St. John's is proud to be redesignated as a Baby-Friendly® Hospital by Baby-Friendly USA – the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States.
Come Grow With Us!
Type: Full-Time
Shift: Days
Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Pay: $55,000 - $65,000
Job Summary:
The Fire Safety Associate supports the day-to-day operations of the Fire and Life Safety Program at EHS – St John’s Episcopal Hospital. Under the direction of the Director of Emergency Management, Fire, and Life Safety, this position assists in ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local fire and life safety regulations, The Joint Commission (TJC) Environment of Care (EC) and Life Safety (LS) standards, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes. The Fire Safety Associate plays a critical role in protecting patients, staff, visitors, and the hospital's physical environment.
Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct routine fire safety inspections of all hospital areas, including patient care units, mechanical spaces, storage areas, and means of egress
- Identify, document, and report fire and life safety deficiencies; track corrective actions to resolution.
- Inspect and maintain fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, fire doors, exit signage, emergency lighting, and smoke/fire barriers.
- Monitor compliance with interim life safety measures (ILSMs) during construction, renovation, or period of non-compliance.
LIFE SAFETY CODE COMPLIANCE
- Assist in ensuring compliance with NFPA 101, 99, 72, 25 and other applicable codes and standards.
- Support preparation for and participation in TJC, CMS, FDNY and other regulatory surveys and inspections.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation, logs, inspection records, and compliance files.
- Assist in the development and updating of fire safety policies, procedures, and plans.
FIRE DRILLS AND TRAINING
- Assist in coordinating and conducting fire drills in accordance with regulatory requirements and hospital policy; evaluate staff response and document outcomes.
- Deliver fire safety orientation and ongoing education to hospital staff.
- Participate in new employee orientation and annual competency training programs.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT
- Respond to fire alarms and fire-related emergencies within the facility, serve as a resource to staff and security during emergency events.
- Support the Emergency Management program during drills, exercises, and actual emergency activations as directed.
SYSTEM TESTING AND MAINTENANCE COORDINATION
- Coordinate and witness testing of fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, suppression systems, and other fire protection systems with vendors and facilities engineering.
- Maintain records of all system tests, inspections, and maintenance activities in accordance with regulatory and accreditation requirements
- Communicate deficiencies and required corrective actions to facilities management and follow up to ensure timely resolution.
DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING
- Assist in maintaining the department's fire and life safety compliance database and logs
- Prepare reports and summaries for leadership regarding inspection findings, drill outcomes, and compliance status.
- Assist in the completion of required regulatory reporting as directed.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to walk, stand, climb stairs and ladders, and traverse all areas of the hospital campus, including rooftops, mechanical spaces, and sub-grade areas.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
- Must be able to wear PPE as required
- Must be available for on-call response to fire alarms and emergencies as assigned
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Primary work location is the hospital campus, may require work in off-site locations, clinical, mechanical, and utility spaces.
- May be exposed to environmental hazards, including smoke, fumes, heat, and noise, during emergency response or system testing activities.
- Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required for drills, surveys, or emergency response.
Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate's degree (preferred)
- 3 years of experience in fire safety, life safety, or related field
- Experience in a healthcare or hospital setting is strongly preferred
- Understanding of fire alarm systems and sprinkler systems and their proper use
- Working knowledge of NFPA Life Safety codes
- Familiarity with hospital operations and patient care environments
- Familiarity with fire safety equipment and emergency response protocols
- Familiarity with The Joint Commission codes and regulations
Licenses & Certifications:
- F-01, F-03, F-04, W-07, S-95, S-12, S-13, preferred or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
Required
High School Diploma or GED or better.
