This prestigious recognition reflects our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community through a range of commitments, including:
- Employing veterans and their families.
- Supporting reservists.
- Championing the skills and values that service leavers bring to our organisation.
- Advocating the values of the Armed Forces Covenant.
DCFO Dave Walton says “We are incredibly proud to receive the Gold Award in the ERS. It really shows how much we value the Armed Forces, and the amazing people connected to them. Veterans, reservists, and their families bring so much to the table and WYFRS is a better organisation because of them.
“Achieving gold is not just a badge of honour it’s a testament to the culture we’ve built together. One that values service, integrity, and the unique strengths that our Armed Forces community contributes every day. In a world where the defence and resilience of the UK is being given a much higher profile, our service recognises that we contribute to the national effort in many ways. This award is just one of those ways and we will continue to develop our professional relationships with the Armed Forces on a day-to-day basis”.
Temporary Station Manager Steve Briddon, Armed Forces Network Lead, and a veteran added, “Achieving the Gold Award in the ERS is an incredible milestone and perfectly complements our recent Armed Forces Covenant Networking Event at our Birkenshaw Headquarters. The genuine support, meaningful connections, and shared sense of purpose evident throughout the event made it a real success.
"As a veteran, witnessing the enthusiastic engagement from guest speakers, partner agencies, and colleagues across the fire and rescue services was truly rewarding. Events like these are essential; they foster understanding, strengthen relationships, and reaffirm our dedication to supporting the armed forces community in everything we do at WYFRS.”
The ERS encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme, run by central Government encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. There’s more information around it HERE.