We are honoured and delighted to announce that Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) has been successfully revalidated for the Gold Award in the Armed Forces Covenant’s Employer Recognition Scheme for a further five years.
In 2018, the Service signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which aims to acknowledge and recognise the commitment of organisations across the country who support members of the Armed Forces. RBFRS was then accredited with the Gold Award in the Employer Recognition Scheme in 2020.
Five years later, the Service’s Gold Award has been renewed for sustaining exceptional support to veterans and the Armed Forces community.
Some of the conditions required to receive the Gold Award are:
- To proactively demonstrate forces-friendly credentials as part of the recruiting and selection processes and with Career Transition Partnership (CTP) in the recruitment of service leavers, and have registered for the Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) Portal.
- To be an exemplar within their market sector, advocating support to defence people issues to partner organisations, suppliers and customers with tangible positive results.
- To actively encourage a positive environment for Reservists by ensuring that positive policies in support of Reservists within the workforce are communicated to line managers.
- To be an exemplar in demonstrating support to the Cadet movement.
Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, said: “The revalidation of RBFRS as a forces-friendly organisation is a huge source of pride. We are proud to support those who ensure the safety of our country. Whether through our Armed Forces Hubs and recruitment opportunities, RBFRS is committed to maintaining an armed forces-friendly working environment.”
Paul Brooks, Head of Assets at RBFRS, said: “We are honoured to have our Gold Award revalidated under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. This recognition reaffirms our unwavering commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and to supporting veterans, reservists and service families. The skills and values the Armed Forces community brings continue to strengthen our organisation, and we remain fully committed to championing the Covenant in all we do.”
RBFRS continues to demonstrate support for the Armed Forces and veterans community. In 2025 alone, we hosted three Armed Forces Veterans’ Hubs, commemorated VE Day and VJ Day, celebrated Armed Forces Week, and marked Remembrance at events across the county.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to supporting veterans and the Armed Forces community, and making a positive difference to the communities we serve. For more information, visit: rbfrs.co.uk/armedforces.