Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Fire Service Awarded Silver For Armed Forces Support

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) has been recognised for its commitment to the armed forces, receiving a silver award as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The scheme honours organisations that actively support service personnel, veterans, reservists, and their families, and demonstrates alignment with the Armed Forces Covenant.

To achieve silver, organisations must sign the covenant, support mobilised reservists, and build on policies from their previous bronze award.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Shantha Dickinson, who has a military background, said:

“The silver award is a great honour, recognising the support we provide to the armed forces community.

"We are proud that many of our staff have joined us after serving in the Navy, Army, or RAF.”

The area covered by HIWFRS includes major military hubs such as the naval base in Portsmouth, RAF Odiham, and Army HQs in Andover and Aldershot, meaning a significant proportion of local residents have military connections.

Luke Holdcroft, a crew manager at Winchester Fire Station and chair of the HIWFRS FireFORCES staff network, said the award reflects the Service’s ongoing commitment to the armed forces community:

“Many of the skills developed in the armed forces transfer directly to roles across the fire service.

"Our network supports veterans, reservists, cadet leaders, and families, as well as employees who are part of the armed forces community.”

FireFORCES works alongside existing HIWFRS networks supporting ethnic diversity, gender equality, disability, and LGBTQ+ inclusion, helping the service provide a supportive and inclusive workplace.

For more information about HIWFRS and its community initiatives, visit the service’s website.