Fire Safety Partnership

Nationwide Building Society (NBS) /West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS)

Background: West Midlands Fire Service is the second largest fire authority in the United Kingdom, with a commercial fire safety department with the capability to meet the Society’s operational training requirements, throughout the UK.

The partnership evolved following discussions at a Fire Safety Training event at WMFS Academy in August 2011.

Both parties recognised the opportunity for mutual benefits by working together including:

  • Sharing “best practice” advice
  • An alignment in core values:

WMFS- Quality; Value; Service;Innovation and Trust.

Nationwide PRIDE- Putting members first; Rewarding Membership; Inspiring trust;Doing the Right Thing; Excelling at Service

Actions taken:The initial actions included a Fire Safety Management Review of Nationwide systems and procedures.

This work resulted in both parties agreeing and setting the standards they will work to and in establishing WMFS as a focal point for liaison on fire safety matters.

Developing the Partnership: As a one of the first financial services fire safety partnerships to be established, much has been learnt as the relationship has progressed, this includes:

  • Understanding the needs of the partner
  • Steady improvements
  • Improving consistency of standards
  • Gaining trust – being honest
  • Regular meetings
  • Fire Safety Design Strategy

Summary of Benefits & Evaluation of Method:

In addition to the commercial benefit of having robust Fire Safety policies and procedures, Nationwide has recognised the value in partnership through:

  • A single point of contact for advice;
  • Consistent standard – confidence;
  • Independent/objective audit; and
  • Assistance beyond “direct fire safety”.

West Midlands Fire Service personnel are benefiting from the increased commercial awareness gained from working closely with a highly successful financial services provider.

Also, they have been able to pass on the benefit to the local community of the funding and support provided byNationwide, by itscorporate strategy of support and investment in local communities through Citizenship, forWMFS Community Learning Centre (Safeside),

The partnership has continued to develop and has evolved above and beyond the aims and objectives set out by both parties for the initial years of the partnership.

Primary Authority Partnership Key Objectives: 2014 - 2017

  • The development and introduction of Fire Safety Management System (BSI PAS07) for the Nationwide Group
  • The development and introduction of Fire Safety Awareness Training programs across the Nationwide Group, in conjunction with WMFS Academy and HR Learning Zone
  • The development and introduction of “dynamic” Fire Evacuation methods and procedures across the Nationwide Group Property Portfolio – saving lost man hours
  • The introduction of a Fire Extinguisher reduction program to reduce the number of extinguishers across the property portfolio by 55%, with surplus equipment being “donated” to the Scout Association
  • The design andimplementation of simplified Fire Risk Assessment processesfor Administration Buildings and Branches
  • The development and introduction of Operational Fire Safety Strategies for Nationwide AdministrationBuildings

Working in partnership to keep you safe

Firesafetypartnershipbrief/v6/Feb2016