First Sponsored Reserve firefighters attested into the RAF Capita news | Capita

Capita Fire and Rescue achieved another milestone last week when its first cohort of Sponsored Reserve Firefighters were Attested at a ceremony conducted by Air-Vice Marshal Shaun Harris CBE at RAF High Wycombe.

The Attestation ceremony - which saw the Sponsored Reserves taking an oath of allegiance to the King – is another significant step in Capita providing Defence with a deployable Fire and Rescue Service to support UK and overseas operations. This is a key element of the Defence Fire and Rescue Project, which has recently celebrated five years of contract delivery.

The ten Sponsored Reserves who were attested during the ceremony are currently based at fire stations at RAF bases across the UK, working alongside colleagues and providing fire and rescue cover to protect critical Defence assets and personnel. They will now undertake their next phase of training that will equip them with the skills needed to be deployed as military firefighters, ready to support operations around the world.

Air-Vice Marshal Shaun Harris CBE said: “It is an honour to be attesting the first Sponsored Reserve Firefighters, who will play a vital role in supporting Defence operations. They will now embark on training which will equip them with the skills they need to support global operations, standing shoulder to shoulder with Regular colleagues.”

Managing Director of Capita Fire and Rescue, Hume Jones, said: “The Attestation is another career milestone for these ten Capita Fire and Rescue Sponsored Reserves, as they undertake training in preparation for military deployment. I look forward to seeing them progress and embrace the challenges of this rewarding and unique career.”

The recruitment of Sponsored Reserves is a vital part of the Defence Fire and Rescue Project, a 12-year contract being delivered by Capita, providing Defence with a mission-critical fire and rescue capability.

Other project milestones include the transformation of the vehicle fleet which has equipped our Capita firefighters as well as Ministry of Defence firefighters with 138 cleaner, greener, safer and more effective appliances with which to fight fires, and the transformation of firefighter training, ensuring firefighters are well-equipped with the skills needed to provide Defence with an agile and highly-skilled fire and rescue service.

For more information on becoming a Sponsored Reserve email CFR-SponsoredReserves@capita.com