Service receives highest badge of honour for championing armed forces

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service has been awarded the highest badge of honour for employers who champion the armed forces – and was one of a number of Cumbrian organisations recognised at a presentation ceremony.

The service has been honoured with the Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award, which celebrates employers that uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and provide exceptional support to veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers and military families in the workplace.

The service had previously achieved the Silver Award and signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2023–24.
 
To receive the award, Dave Love, Area Manager at Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, attended a ceremony at Blackburn Cathedral on Monday, 22 September.

To achieve the Gold Award, the service has:

• Demonstrated forces-friendly recruitment and selection processes, including posting all jobs on the Career Transition Partnership board, for leavers of services, and the Forces Families Jobs board, for registered forces family members
• Adopted defence-positive policies including additional leave for reservists and cadet force adult volunteers, mobilisation of reservists, and guaranteed interview scheme for veterans
• Supported the transition of a forces family firefighter whose partner has been deployed to Cumbria into the service
• Built and maintained a strong relationship with Kerryanne Wilde, Defence Relationship Manager for Cumbria and Lancashire
• Committed to support Armed Forces Cadets

Dave Love, Area Manager at Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, said:

“We are proud supporters of our armed forces community and are delighted to receive this recognition of our commitment to serving, and former, services personnel.

“These are people who make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and it is right that we do all we can to support them in civilian life.”

Kerryanne Wilde, Defence Relationship Manager for Cumbria and Lancashire at the Ministry of Defence, said:

“Over the past 15 months, since receiving their Silver Award in 2024, the dedication and commitment shown by the service to supporting the Armed Forces community has been truly exemplary.

“Their unwavering efforts to foster a culture of inclusivity, flexibility, and understanding for reservists, veterans, and military families stand as a benchmark for organisations across the region.

“This journey has been marked by not only meeting, but exceeding the rigorous standards set by the Ministry of Defence.

“Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service’s ongoing collaboration and proactive engagement have demonstrated a genuine appreciation for the unique skills and experiences that members of the Armed Forces community bring to the workplace.

“It has been a privilege to support and witness their evolution from Silver to Gold status.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved.

“Your achievement is richly deserved and serves as an inspiration to all employers committed to making a tangible difference to our Armed Forces community.”

Also recognised at Monday’s Gold Award presentation ceremony were:

• BEC
• Carlisle United FC Community Sports Trust
• Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
• Cumbria Constabulary
• LEL Nuclear Ltd