Lead Officer for NFCC Nuclear and Radiological

Background

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is seeking a Lead Officer for Nuclear and Radiological.

This new role will chair a group within the NFCC Operational Preparedness, Response and Resilience (OPRR) structure. The postholder will be responsible for leading an effective group focused on Nuclear and Radiological, driving continuous improvement, promoting collaboration and shaping good practice across UK fire and rescue services.

There is currently an established group with good membership and established workstreams. This group plays a vital role working with partner agencies through the Nuclear Blue-Light Working Group. Partner agencies include licensed nuclear site operators, local authorities, government departments, AWE and nuclear regulators.

As this group will need to consider training requirements for nuclear and radiological, the postholder should ideally have a qualification relevant to this area of operational response.

Although aimed at response to ‘accidental’ nuclear and radiological incidents (not CBRN), there is also a need to liaise with the NFCC National Resilience CBRN team and the National CBRN Centre.

Current workstreams:

Development of a single Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) contract for all fire and rescue services

Development of a system to enable RPAs from various emergency services and site operators to make contact in the early stages of an accidental nuclear and radiological incident

  • Consultee on the draft National Nuclear Emergency Planning Response Guidance

Expectations of a lead officer

  • To be aware of NFCC’s Member Strategy to ensure that work within their lead area remains aligned to the principles and objectives of NFCC
  • To demonstrate NFCC values and follow the Core Code of Ethics
  • To oversee, guide and champion their lead subject area at a national level
  • Represent NFCC, and therefore UK fire and rescue services, as a subject matter adviser where appropriate; this may include:
    • NFCC meetings
    • External meetings
    • Responding to the media, although any media representation should be pre-agreed with the NFCC Communications Team
  • Maintain a strong understanding of developments within their lead area, including horizon scanning and across related subject areas
  • Ensure that they maintain good communication through their NFCC reporting line and throughout any NFCC networks, as appropriate
  • To consult as widely as possible, and as appropriate, if national guidance, position or perspective products are being produced
  • To work alongside NFCC hubs or teams, to ensure clear and consistent messaging for announcements and campaigns

The successful candidate will be required to:

  • Lead on all matters relating to nuclear and radiological
  • Understand the UK nuclear industry and the variety of site operators
  • Understand scientific and technical matters related to radiation and the nuclear industry; this will be desirable due to the need for liaising with Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) and technical experts from the industry
  • Demonstrate an ability to strive for continuous improvement for their lead officer area
  • Have a strong and consistent voice on relevant issues
  • Actively engage in a multi-agency approach to promote NFCC’s strategy for their lead officer area
  • Work with fire and rescue services and partners to produce and update relevant products to promote good practice
  • Have a good understanding of the issues and requirements of devolved administrations in the UK
  • Provide updates to NFCC groups, including the OPRR Committee and the Operational Training and Education Group (OTEG)

Next steps

If you would like to discuss this opportunity, please contact:

Chris Noakes

NFCC Lead for Nuclear and Radiological

E: cnoakes@fireresilience.org.uk

Or

Kerry Blair

Head of Operational Response and Fire Control

National Fire Chiefs Council

M: 07974 878597

E: kerry.blair@nfcc.org.uk

To apply, please complete this form, providing details of qualifications and experience relevant to this post.

Please note that we are unable to accept any other form of application. Should you have any queries, please email: nfccadminsupport@nfcc.org.uk

 

The closing date is: 16th January 2026, Midday