One of the UK’s largest housing associations has entered into a partnership with the West Midlands Fire Service to ensure the highest level of customer safety throughout its 40,000 properties.

One of the UK’s largest housing associations has entered into a partnership with the West Midlands Fire Service to ensure the highest level of customer safety throughout its 40,000 properties.

Known as a Primary Authority Scheme (PAS), Orbit is the first housing association to enter into such a partnership with the West Midlands Fire Service. Orbit will receive assured and tailored advice on all of the latest fire safety guidance and regulations. Before the partnership was agreed, Orbit was required to undergo a vetting process to show the West Midlands Fire Service that Orbit already had strong fire safety measures in place.   

Following the successful completion of this vetting process, Caroline Davies, Director of Property Services at Orbit said: “The safety and security of the people living in our homes is of paramount importance. Through the partnership we will have access to the latest expert advice and guidance, providing reassurance to our customers across the country.”

Orbit has a dedicated team, fully trained and qualified in all areas of customer safety including experts in reducing fire risks. The partnership will help reduce the risk to customers even further so that customers can continue to feel safe in their homes.

Jonathan Herrick, Fire Engineering and Partnerships Manager at West Midlands Fire Service said: “The West Midlands Fire Service is delighted to be acting as Primary Authority to Orbit. Through our work with Orbit and the visits we have made to various premises around the country, we understand the high importance Orbit puts on the safety of people.

“This drive for safety fits well with our aims as a fire and rescue service and we look forward to acting as the single point of contact for compliance with fire safety law and to helping Orbit to maintain the highest standards of fire safety in all their buildings. We are also pleased that the costs we recover for providing this service will be invested in securing the safety of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities which, in turn, supports the aims of Orbit.”

Photo (L to R): Tom Franklin, Property Compliance Manager, Jonathan Herrick, Fire Engineering and Partnerships Manager at West Midlands Fire Service, Laura Dixon, Senior Compliance Officer.