CUMBRIA Fire and Rescue Service has received a prestigious award for the commitment it shows to the Defence and Armed Forces community.

The service has been awarded silver status in the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), which recognises employers who align their values to the Armed Forces Covenant and champion those who have served.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service adopts a number of measures to support the Defence and Armed Forces community, including a Veterans Guaranteed Interview Scheme and an internal support network. The service was one of 47 recipients of silver awards announced across the North West this week.

Brian Massie, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: “We are proud to have our commitment to the Defence and Armed Forces community recognised with this accolade from the Ministry of Defence.

“Historically and up to the present day, the military and the fire service have always had a fundamental bond, and serving personnel, reservists and veterans bring tremendous value to our service.

“We will continue to do all we can to ensure Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is a forces friendly employer.”

David Allen, Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant recognises the value that serving personnel, reservists and veterans bring to our service.

“I am delighted that Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service have been awarded the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award 2024, as part of their support to the Armed Forces Covenant. This is great news; I know from my work in the NHS what it means to achieve this award and what a difference it can make to recruitment of veterans who bring a wealth of different experiences to the service.

“It is crucial that we create a workforce that is genuinely diverse in its representation and in its thinking. Veterans bring great value to their employers in all walks of civilian life, after military service.
“I truly believe they are a valuable addition to both our policing and fire and rescue teams and I fully support our organisations working towards obtaining and improving on this award.”

Colonel Mark Underhill OBE DL, Chief Executive at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Defence we are honoured and delighted to be able to recognise the outstanding support and commitment given to the Armed Forces Covenant by businesses and organisations in the region, through the Employer Recognition Scheme.

“Each recipient has demonstrated not only that their support to the Covenant and the wider Armed Forces community, but also that they are prepared to support their Reservists, Service Leavers, Spouses, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Cadets in the workplace.”