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From the frontline - Steve Kilden

Steve Kilden, fire safety manager at Lewisham Homes, talks about going above and beyond

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Tell us about your job

It’s about people’s safety. I make sure Lewisham Homes not only complies with fire safety legislation but goes above and beyond. We’ve installed sprinkler systems in housing schemes for older residents and we’re also one of the first London boroughs to remove aluminium composite material cladding from three of our buildings.

How did you get into housing?

I worked for 20 years as an operational fire officer at the London Fire Brigade, attending fire and special service incidents. I then progressed into the regulatory fire safety team, which involved working with businesses and local authorities. On leaving the brigade it felt natural to move into social housing.


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What would you change about the sector?

I’ve seen first-hand the impact fire has on lives and the devastation it causes. Post-Grenfell, there’s now more awareness and I’d like to build on that. I would urge the building sector to consider fire safety at every stage from design to handover, and as part of ongoing maintenance.

What does a good day look like?

The satisfaction of knowing I’ve helped make people safe. One resident had a major fire in which both of her children could have died, were it not for the fire brigade. I visited her afterwards to give her fire safety advice. A home visit has so much more impact than sending a letter and meant I’ve built a relationship with her.

How about a bad one?

It’s a bad day when there’s a fire in one of our buildings, but I always look to learn from it. I used a recent chip pan fire in one of our hostels to raise awareness of how dangerous cooking with oil can be. It’s an opportunity to get a positive message out there and hopefully stop another fire from occurring.

What’s the first thing you’d do if you were prime minister?

Follow the example of the Welsh Government and introduce sprinkler systems in all new buildings.

What would your superpower be and why?

I wouldn’t mind being Batman for a day. Just so I could see my work mate, Charlie, dressed up as Robin in a pair of tights!

What’s the most private thing you would be willing to admit to your colleagues?

If I told you it wouldn’t be private! I spend quite a bit of time with my work mates outside of work. We’re a tight team, we have to be, and I do tell them all sorts.

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