Cumbria's Chief Fire Officer, Dominic Harrison, is to visit British troops in Afghanistan.
The head of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is one of six employers of military "Reservists" who are booked on a visit to southern Afghanistan from 1st to 4th November 2007.
The visit has been organised by the Ministry of Defence campaign SaBRE, which fosters links between the military and the employers of its Reserve troops. Reservists serve the military on a paid, part-time basis - combining their everyday civilian 'day jobs' with a commitment to training as members of the Armed Forces in their spare time. They serve in the Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve or the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
Mr Harrison will get the opportunity to meet Reservists serving at two military bases - Kandahar Airfield and Camp Bastion [an unclassified map showing these locations (external link)]
The visit is an ideal opportunity for Mr Harrison to gain a greater understanding of the work Reservists undertake as members of the Armed Forces. Reservists are a key component of British military resources; for example the TA represents a quarter of the British Army's total manpower. Since 2003, more than 1,300 members of the TA from the North West alone have served operational tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Balkans.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Cumbria's Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison, said: "As an employer of Reservists, I am looking forward to getting a better insight into the kind of issues they face when deployed overseas.
"Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service currently has two firefighters on active service.
"The majority of Cumbrian firefighters are retained personnel and this enables us to draw on a wealth of transferable skills. The Volunteer Reserve Forces have an almost unparalleled reputation for developing skills and qualities that can be transferred directly to the workplace."
Ian Rankine, SaBRE Campaign Director for North West England and the Isle of Man, said: "We are delighted that Dominic Harrison, Cumbria's Chief Fire Officer, is visiting Afghanistan to witness first hand the great contribution that the Reserve Forces are making in support of their Regular [full-time] counterparts on operations in Afghanistan. Mr Harrison will be joining five other employers of Reservists for a four-day trip to the centre of operations.
"Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has three Reservists in their ranks. Cumbria, along with all other emergency services in the North West, actively champion the concept of Reservists in the workplace and fully support them when training and when mobilised abroad. Cumbria Fire and Rescue service has received an award from the Secretary of State for Defence in recognition of this support."
Employers of Reservists who would like more information about the SaBRE campaign and how to join the growing network of supportive employers should contact Ian Rankine direct on 0151 728 2069 or visit the campaign's website at www.sabre.mod.uk (external link)
ENDS
Media contacts for further information:
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service - Mark Graham on 01228 606337
Military - Kevin Hegarty on 01772 703000 or 07971 114029