NYFRS reinforces Commitment to members of the British Armed Forces and their families, on the day of a Royal Gun Salute in York.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has re-committed to honouring the Armed Forces Covenant – a promise to support the Armed Forces community, and recognise the valuable contribution of serving personnel, veterans and military families.
Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson re-signed the Covenant at a ceremony on Monday 8 September in York. The Royal Gun Salute, hosted by Colonel Peter Stitt, Commander Headquarters North, marked the anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne. The 21-Gun Salute was performed by the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery troops. York is the only saluting station in the north of England. Chief Fire Officers, Chief Constables or their representatives from across the whole of northern England were in attendance at the event, which aligned with Emergency Services Day on Tuesday 9 September.
The Chiefs also received an update from Lucy Bogue, the Ministry of Defence’s Director Standing Joint Command Guardian, whose role includes acting as National ‘Gold’ for all military support to local authorities. This event aimed to bring closer ties between the military, police, fire, ambulance and local resilience partners at a time when the geopolitical environment places greater emphasis on such close collaboration.
Chief Constable Tim Forber also re-signed the Covenant on behalf of North Yorkshire Police at the same event.
Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson said: “ It was a privilege to reaffirm our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant on such a significant day. By re-signing the Covenant, we continue to honour our promise to support veterans, serving personnel and their families, and to strengthen the vital ties between the emergency services and the Armed Forces”
The Armed Forces Covenant states:
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
