Chris Smith Email & Phone Number

I joined the Fire Service in April 1978 and have served in various roles, from firefighter, to station officer being both operationally based on a watch, in training as a trainer and course led and in fire safety both prevention & protection.I joined fire safety in 1990 in the fire certification era as an inspecting officer, dealing with licensing, care homes and schools during a period of serious school fires in West Yorkshire. I assisted in the introduction of the RR(FS)O and auditing process in WYFRS, and continue in the support and performance role. This includes managing training systems for new staff and competence with existing staff. My team have developed and delivered fire safety training for Watch & Crew managers to up skill their knowledge and understanding of the built environment. I also lead on WYFRS bespoke Premises Risk System which as well as collating fire safety audits has been adapted to use the PORIS risk matrix so that crews can undertake an Operational Risk Visit which collates PORIS, FSEC and fire safety intelligence.I have been involved with CFOAs Enforcement Working group as Yorkshire & Humberside rep and am currently part of the working group reviewing the fire safety audit process, looking to determine smarter ways of working that support business. I have recently been part of the Primary Authority Scheme pilot working in conjunction with the Asda group.Interested in Fire Service & Local HistoryIn March 2018 I became the Fire Protection - Business Support Supervisor for WYFRSSince March 2022 I have been working on a special project to update the Risk Based Inspection Programme both locally within West Yorkshire and nationally with the NFCC working group led by Chris Callow & Hannah Begum focusing on risk to develop our CRMP.At the NFCC Awards on the 28 March 2023 I was honoured to win the award for the outstanding contribution to Fire Protection. After 45 year’s service with West Yorkshire FRS some 25 of which have been in Fire Protection.

Listed skills include Fire Protection, Fire Safety, Fire Management, Firefighting, and 18 others.