GH GHNHSFTeLearning Portal

Fire Safety eLearning for Non-Clinical NHS Staff

Fire safety is part of everyone’s role in a hospital, including receptionists, porters, administrators, estates teams, volunteers, students and other non-clinical workers. A fire safety eLearning module provides the essential knowledge needed to recognise hazards, respond quickly and support patients, visitors and colleagues during an emergency.

For staff using the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust eLearning portal, the module sits alongside local and national learning requirements. It should be treated as a practical workplace briefing rather than a box-ticking exercise. The details matter: hospital buildings have complex layouts, patients may need assistance to move, and a small delay can affect an entire evacuation plan.

What The Module Is Designed To Cover

The training usually explains the causes of workplace fires, common ignition sources and the importance of keeping escape routes clear. It may also cover fire doors, alarm points, emergency exits, compartmentation and the meaning of local warning signs. Non-clinical employees need this information because they often work across public areas, offices, stores, corridors and support spaces where hazards can be overlooked.

A typical lesson also explains what to do when a fire is discovered or an alarm sounds. The basic sequence is to raise the alarm, call the emergency service through the approved local process, withdraw from danger and follow instructions from trained staff. The module may refer to specific Gloucestershire Hospitals procedures, so learners should use the portal content as the authoritative source for their site rather than relying on general internet advice.

Fire response differs between a hospital and an ordinary office. A visitor might be unfamiliar with the building, a patient may be unable to walk, and clinical equipment can restrict movement. Non-clinical staff should never place themselves at unnecessary risk or attempt to move people beyond their training. Their role may be to direct people, report information, close doors if safe, or support an orderly relocation under the direction of the incident team.

Accessing The Gloucestershire Learning Portal

Staff and learners generally access required courses through the Trust’s eLearning portal using their approved account details. Before starting, check that the device has a reliable connection, the browser is supported and any pop-up or audio requirements are enabled. A quiet setting is useful, particularly when the module includes narrated content, scenario questions or a short assessment.

Keep a record of the course status as you work through it. Some learning systems save progress automatically, while others require a learner to complete a section before moving forward. If a page fails to load, a certificate does not appear or the assessment result is missing, avoid repeatedly submitting answers without checking the system guidance.

The eLearning Helpdesk is the appropriate source of support for access, account and technical problems. The portal provides phone and email contact options, so have your name, workplace, course title, device and a clear description of the problem ready. A brief message such as “the fire safety module will not launch after login” is more useful than a general note saying the system is broken.

Key Fire Safety Behaviours At Work

The most valuable part of the training is how it changes routine behaviour. Staff should keep corridors, stairwells and fire exits free from boxes, trolleys, rubbish and personal items. They should report damaged fire doors, blocked extinguishers, unusual smells, faulty equipment and unsafe storage through the local reporting route. A clear route can make a major difference when visibility is reduced or people are moving under pressure.

Portable electrical equipment deserves attention. Avoid overloaded sockets, damaged leads and unauthorised appliances. Switch equipment off when required by local policy, and store combustible materials away from heaters, electrical panels and other heat sources. In kitchens, offices and storage rooms, ordinary housekeeping is a key part of fire prevention.

The module may describe fire extinguishers and their colour coding, but recognition does not mean every employee should use one. Only tackle a very small fire if the policy permits it, the correct extinguisher is available, an escape route remains behind you and you have been trained. Leaving safely and raising the alarm is usually the priority. Never allow an extinguisher attempt to delay evacuation.

Evacuation In A Hospital Setting

Hospital evacuation arrangements may use a progressive approach, moving people away from immediate danger before considering a wider relocation. You may hear terms such as horizontal evacuation, vertical evacuation, fire zone or place of safety. The module should explain the terminology used by the Trust, including the roles of fire wardens, switchboard staff, security teams and clinical leaders.

Non-clinical workers may be asked to help guide visitors, check an allocated area if safe, prevent people from entering a danger zone or report who may still be present. They should follow the directions of the incident controller and avoid creating conflicting instructions. Lifts may be restricted during a fire, and routes that look familiar may not be suitable in an emergency.

Australian learners will recognise some of these principles from hospitals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or regional health services, but the local details are different. Australian services operate within state or territory work health and safety rules and may use guidance from agencies such as Fire and Rescue NSW, the Country Fire Authority in Victoria or the Queensland Fire Department. A hospital’s internal emergency plan takes precedence over assumptions based on a previous workplace.

The emergency number is another important distinction. The Gloucestershire module may refer to UK procedures, including 999 or 112, while Australian services generally use Triple Zero, 000. Anyone completing Trust training must follow the number and reporting method stated in the course and local policy. The Australian comparison is useful context, but it must not replace the instructions for the Gloucestershire site.

Preparation Before Starting The Course

A small amount of preparation makes the learning easier to retain. Think about your normal work area, the nearest alarm point, two possible escape routes and the location where staff are expected to assemble. If you work across several buildings, do not assume that the arrangements in one block apply to another. Ask your supervisor where local fire action notices are displayed.

Use the following checks before beginning the module:

Completion records are important, but the real test is whether the information can be recalled during a stressful event. Pay particular attention to the first actions after discovering smoke, the reporting process, restricted areas and the people who coordinate an evacuation. If a question seems to conflict with what you have been told locally, record the wording and ask your manager or the Helpdesk for clarification rather than guessing.

Fire safety knowledge also needs refreshing. Drills, revised floor plans, new equipment and changes to patient areas can alter the safest response. Australian workers are familiar with seasonal risks such as smoke haze and bushfire warnings, while NHS staff may focus on internal building hazards and densely occupied sites. Both settings show why emergency planning must be current and specific to the workplace.

The practical takeaway is simple: complete the module, learn the arrangements for your own Gloucestershire location, keep escape routes clear, raise the alarm promptly and follow trained instructions without putting yourself or others at unnecessary risk.