Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic
John (Craig) Hawkes

John (Craig) Hawkes

Southampton,Hampshire

Summary

Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in building regulations knowledge, fire safety legislation compliance, and fire prevention across the built environment and construction sectors. Demonstrates proficiency in emergency response planning and site inspection competence, ensuring adherence to health and safety legislation. Skilled in risk assessment methodologies and technical report writing, with a strong foundation in passive and active fire protection measures. Adept at decision-making under pressure, strategic planning, and time management efficiency. Committed to delivering training and maintaining resilience during emergencies while excelling in construction management and building regulations familiarity. Career goals include advancing expertise in construction and fire safety standards and enhancing responsible persons knowledge of fire safety to deliver safe homes, business and workplaces.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Fire prevention and protection engineering consultant

Stantec UK
Southampton, Hampshire
2026.01 - Current
  • Increased workplace safety by regular assessment, maintenance and advicechecks on firefighting equipment.
  • Ensured compliance to British Standards by implementing robust fire protection systems.
  • Prepared comprehensive reports detailing findings from site inspections and risk assessments.
  • Provided technical advice for improved building designs.
  • Undertook periodic audits of existing facilities, recommending upgrades where necessary for enhanced safety standards.
  • Conducted training sessions, enhancing staff knowledge on fire safety protocols.
  • Worked closely with builders to integrate fire safety features into architectural designs, promoting safer living environments.
  • Reduced potential hazards with rigorous fire prevention strategies.
  • Trained staff to enhance awareness of fire safety regulations.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry standards and emerging regulations related to fire safety.
  • Reviewed fire safety protocols for continuous alignment with regulatory frameworks and organisational needs.
  • Compiled accurate records of assessments, surveys, and post-fire inspections for reference and compliance.
  • Executed comprehensive fire safety surveys, evaluating both passive and active precautions for compliance assurance.
  • Conducted reviews post-incident, providing critical recommendations for preventing recurrence of similar incidents in the future.

Station Manager Fire Safety West Hub Protection

Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service
Southampton and New Forest, Hampshire
2023.08 - 2026.01
  • Ensured smooth operations by overseeing daily station activities.
  • Maintained safety regulations for a secure environment.
  • Coordinated staff schedules to optimise workforce efficiency.
  • Managed a hub of 7 Fire Safety Inspectors
  • SPOC for Building Safety Regulator for the service
  • Head of the High Risk Residential Building programme (HRRB)
  • Attend and Direct Operational Incidents as part of the Command Team
  • Consultations of Building Regulations Planning Applications
  • Fire Safety Liason Officer with Hampshire County Council
  • Marriage and Civil Ceremony advisor to Hampshire County Council
  • Built Environment Response Officer
  • His Majesty Inspectorate (HMI Inspector)
  • Expert Witness to HIWFRS
  • RR(FS)O 2005 technical advisor to Prosecution Barristers in Crown Court (Fire Safety) Cases.
  • Development and CPD training delivery of British Standards, DCLG Guidance documents, Warrants, Evidential Imaging and RR(FS)O 2005 (including amendments under Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
  • Fire Risk Assessments to CIC company 3SFire nationwide outside of Hampshire.

Fire safety inspector

Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service
Southampton, Hampshire
2015.09 - 2023.08
  • Ensured compliance with fire safety regulations by conducting regular inspections.
  • Conducted comprehensive safety audits for improved workplace security.
  • Improved emergency response preparedness with thorough staff training sessions.
  • Delivered detailed reports to management, highlighting potential hazards and recommendations.
  • Prepared case files to be delivered for potential of prosecution
  • Constructed and delivered support programme workshops for business owners regarding their responsibilities under the legislation.
  • Reviewed licensing and planning applications
  • Developed working partnerships with Local Authorities, Police, Border Force, CQC, Immigration and Heritage England.
  • Instrumental in the launch of the Built Environment Response Officer Role (BERO).
  • Delivered fire safety awareness sessions to operational staff throughout the County
  • Mentored and lead new and existing Inspectors /Auditors in line with the NFCC Leadership Guidance Document
  • Conducted and supported Inspectors with Conflict Management and Incidents of Conflict

Firefighter / Crew Manager/ Watch Manager

Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service
Southampton, Hampshire
1999.12 - 2015.08
  • Provided emotional support to victims of fires or accidents, helping them cope better with their situation.
  • Participated in rigorous physical training routines, maintaining peak condition for duty.
  • Promoted fire prevention measures amongst the local community members, fostering a safer environment.
  • Handled complex rescue operations involving hazardous materials-a testament to adeptness under pressure.
  • Completed detailed incident reports following emergency responses as part of standard procedures.
  • Administered CPR and other life-saving methods until arrival of medical personnel-crucial in stabilising victims' conditions.
  • Responded promptly to emergency calls, ensuring public safety.
  • Improved community awareness by conducting fire safety workshops.

Painter and Decorator / Plasterer / Electrician

Self Employed, Various Contracts
Southampton, Hampshire
1992.09 - 1999.12

* Self Employed Multi trade all time served apprenticeship running concurrently.

* Budget Management

* Administration as well as practical delivery

Education

Diploma of Higher Education - Fire Safety

XACT / Various CPD Courses
Southampton
2015.06 -

IOSH / NEBOSH - Health and Safety

ROSPA
Southampton
2022.01 - 2022.06

City and Guilds - Electrical installations domestic and commercial

NICEIC
Southampton
1992.09 - 1995.05

NVQ Level 3 - Carpentry and Joinery

Southampton City College
Southampton
1992.09 - 1995.06

NVQ Level 3 - Painting and Decorating

Southampton City College
Southampton
1992.09 - 1995.06

NVQ Level 3 - Plastering

Southampton City College
Southampton
1992.09 - 1995.06

GCSEs - French / Maths / English / Physics / Law / Business studies / Information Studies

LEA - Itchen College
Southampton
1990.09 - 1992.06

Skills

  • Building code knowledge
  • Safety regulations compliance
  • Fire suppression techniques
  • Emergency response planning
  • Site inspection competence
  • Risk assessment methodologies
  • Technical report writing
  • Health and safety legislation
  • Passive fire protection familiarity
  • Sprinkler system knowledge
  • Building construction expertise
  • Decision-Making under pressure
  • Strategic planning capabilities
  • Time management efficiency
  • Information gathering proficiency
  • Accuracy in documentation
  • Training delivery
  • Resilience during emergencies
  • Construction management
  • Building regulations familiarity
  • Risk assessment capabilities
  • Construction safety standards
  • Safety equipment operation
  • Fire alarm systems proficiency

Affiliations

  • I love family and it is important to me that the difference of home and work are separated. This is demonstrated on a daily basis in my current role even with tight deadlines to my staff. I spend my time when not at work destressing by making models, ( of any kind from plastic airfix to technical drones ). I enjoy the beach in the Summer and further study into the fire sector.
  • I have two dogs which I adore and spend hours walking with them at the beach / forest.

Accomplishments

As a firefighter, public safety and assistance in need is in the blood, and, I have on two occasions received commendations for CPR to members of the public when off duty.

I am currently the only Protection officer within Hampshire and Isle of Wight FRS who has successfully built and presented a prosecution of a fire risk assessor for unsuitable and insufficient fire risk assessments of a premises after attempting to support them and going above and beyond. This was accomplished by taking the role of Prosecution Witness and Expert Witness in the same trial in Southampton Crown Court. Additionally, I was asked by Red Lion Barristers Westminster to step in as RR(FS)O 2005 technical advisory of a similar Crown Court trial in Portsmouth Crown Court, which also secured a conviction. Although convictions were successful, I don't deem this as an award but a necessary removal of substandard assessors which put people at risk of serious injury or death.

Certification

I was previously a member of the Institute of Fire Engineers as Eng.(Tech), M.I.FireE. This discontinued as Covid hit and was only discontinued as I did not resume the annual subscription.

Timeline

Fire prevention and protection engineering consultant

Stantec UK
2026.01 - Current

Station Manager Fire Safety West Hub Protection

Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service
2023.08 - 2026.01

IOSH / NEBOSH - Health and Safety

ROSPA
2022.01 - 2022.06

Fire safety inspector

Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service
2015.09 - 2023.08

Diploma of Higher Education - Fire Safety

XACT / Various CPD Courses
2015.06 -

Firefighter / Crew Manager/ Watch Manager

Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service
1999.12 - 2015.08

Painter and Decorator / Plasterer / Electrician

Self Employed, Various Contracts
1992.09 - 1999.12

City and Guilds - Electrical installations domestic and commercial

NICEIC
1992.09 - 1995.05

NVQ Level 3 - Carpentry and Joinery

Southampton City College
1992.09 - 1995.06

NVQ Level 3 - Painting and Decorating

Southampton City College
1992.09 - 1995.06

NVQ Level 3 - Plastering

Southampton City College
1992.09 - 1995.06

GCSEs - French / Maths / English / Physics / Law / Business studies / Information Studies

LEA - Itchen College
1990.09 - 1992.06
John (Craig) Hawkes