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{{More citations needed|date=February 2007}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
[[File:Rescue and Firefighting Services.gif|thumb|Logo of the Defence Fire and Rescue Service]]
{{Infobox fire department

| name = Defence and Fire Rescue Service
The '''Defence Fire and Rescue Service''' (DFRS) is the primary firefighting and rescue service protecting [[Lists of military installations#United Kingdom|British defence estates and property]]. Along with the Royal Air Force Rescue and Firefighting Service, it forms the Ministry of Defence Fire Services.
| native_name = DFR / DFRS
| native_name_lang =
| logo = File:Rescue and Firefighting Services.gif|
| logo_caption =
| logo_alt = Logo of the Defence Fire and Rescue Service
| patch =
| patch_caption =
| patch_alt =
| flag =
| flag_caption =
| flag_alt =
| image_size = 275px
| motto = ''Preventing, Protecting, Responding''<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Adam |user=BU954 |number=1276930345120776194 |date=27 June 2020 |title=Happy Armed Forces Day 2020 @RAFFireService @DFR_FIRE https://t.co/MjBSkMjb6p |language=en |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>
<!-- Operational area -->
| country = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Ministry of Defence]]
| subdivision_type2 =
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name1 =
| subdivision_name2 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| address = DFR HQ, Sedgemoor Building, Spur G&H, IDL 54, Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8HT
| coordinates =
<!-- Agency overview -->
| established = 1991
| annual calls =
| employees =
| annual budget =
| staffing =
| captain =
| CFO =
| ALSorBLS =
| iaff =
<!-- Facilities and equipment -->
| reference1 =
| commissioner =
| divisions =
| battalions =
| stations =
| engines =
| trucks =
| ladders =
| tillers =
| platforms =
| quints =
| squads =
| rescues =
| ambulances =
| tenders =
| hazmat =
| usar =
| crash =
| wildland =
| airplanes =
| fireboats =
| rescue boats =
| light and air =
<!-- Footer -->
| reference2 =
| website = [https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-fire-risk-management-organisation government page on DFR]
| iaffweb =
| dissolved =
}}
[[File:Iveco Fire trucks 01.jpg|thumb|Brand new Iveco fire trucks, delivered to RAF Akrotiri in 2019]]
The '''Defence Fire and Rescue Service''' ('''DFRS''') is the primary firefighting and rescue service protecting [[Lists of military installations#United Kingdom|British defence estates and property]]. Along with the Royal Air Force Rescue and Firefighting Service, it forms the Ministry of Defence Fire Services. {{As of|2021|2}}, the takeover of DFRS by private contractor [[Capita]] continues.<ref name = capitafeb >{{cite web | url = https://www.capita.com/news/capita-celebrates-key-milestones-under-defence-fire-and-rescue-project-contract | publisher = [[Capita]] | title = Capita celebrates key milestones under Defence Fire and Rescue Project contract | date = 12 February 2021 | access-date = 29 April 2021}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The '''Ministry of Defence Fire Service''' was formed on 1 April 1991 by the amalgamation of the [[Navy Department Fire Prevention Service]], [[Army Department Fire Service]], [[Air Force Department Fire Service]] and [[Procurement Executive Fire Service]]. It was later renamed the '''Defence Fire Service'''. It was a civilian organisation which protected mainly domestic sites at RAF, Army and Navy installations.
The '''Ministry of Defence Fire Service''' was formed on 1 April 1991 by the amalgamation of the Navy Department Fire Prevention Service, [[Army Department Fire Service]], Air Force Department Fire Service and Procurement Executive Fire Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nyebevannews.co.uk/royal-navy-army-and-raf-fire-and-rescue-services-privatised/|title=Royal Navy, Army and RAF fire and rescue services privatised}}</ref> It later became part of a similarly named umbrella body, the '''Ministry of Defence Fire Services''', which also included the RAF Firefighting and Rescue Service, a military organisation which protected mainly [[List of RAF stations|RAF airfields and runways]].<ref>{{cite news|editor1-last=Wise|editor1-first=Andrew|title=Airfield support set to move to private sector|newspaper=RAF News|date=April 2001|issue=1022|page=3|publisher=Royal Air Force|location=Innsworth|issn=0035-8614}}</ref>

It later became part of a similarly named umbrella body, the '''Ministry of Defence Fire Services''', which also included the [[RAF Firefighting and Rescue Service]], a military organisation which protected mainly [[List of RAF stations|RAF airfields and runways]].<ref>{{cite newspaper|editor1-last=Wise|editor1-first=Andrew|title=Airfield support set to move to private sector|newspaper=RAF News|date=April 2001|issue=1022|page=3|publisher=Royal Air Force|location=Innsworth|issn=0035-8614}}</ref>

The Defence Fire Service was renamed the '''Defence Fire and Rescue Service''' in 2004 following the introduction of the [[Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004|Fire and Rescue Services Act]]. The Act, among other things, acknowledges that fire brigades in the UK do more than just simply fight fire. Most UK brigades changed their names from fire services to fire and rescue services during this period. The name change only applies to the civilian fire service, the Royal Air Force Fire Service still remains a separate organisation.

Continually run down due to a mixture of a ban on recruitment by the civil service and lack of funding under army HQ, the lack of investment in staff and vehicles led to calls for privatisation.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

In 2014 the Defence Fire Risk Management Project began to look at outsourcing to a private contractor.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} It was announced in November 2015 that this is the recommended option. the contract was won by Capita in June 2018 and is expected to be awarded in July 2018.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

==Firefighting and rescue==

[[File:Dftdc-defence-fire-training-and-development-centre-manston.jpg|thumb|Entrance to the [[Defence Fire Training and Development Centre]]]]

Both civilian and RAF fire crews are trained in exactly the same way. The training is in line with their local authority fire service counterparts. Traditionally RAF crews were specialists skilled at dealing with live aircraft munitions and airfield crash rescue operations, but they also provided fire prevention and domestic firefighting response on RAF bases and assisted local civilian brigades when called upon. There was, also, often a crossover of roles with civilian Defence Fire Service crews protecting some air bases, and RAF crews protecting purely domestic (non-flying) units.

In the [[RAF]], airmen and women receive their basic military training before going on to train in various "[[List of Royal Air Force Ground Trades|trades]]" or "areas of expertise" such as mechanics, pilots, electricians, navigators, etc. Firefighting is a "trade" therefore which some airmen/women choose to be trained in.


==Privatisation==
The main training facility for all MOD firefighters is the [[Defence Fire Training and Development Centre]] (was FSCTE) at the former [[RAF Manston]] in Kent. Originally the [[Air Ministry]] Fire Training School, in 2007 DFTDC became part of the newly created Defence Fire Risk Management Organisation (DFRMO) at Andover, under the command of [[Commander Land Forces|HQ Land Forces]].
In July 2019, it was announced by the Ministry of Defence that [[Capita]] had won an outsourcing contract to manage the operations at 53 sites across the UK, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/news/fire-and-rescue-privatisation-goes-ahead|title=Defence Fire And Rescue Privatisation Goes Ahead|date=19 July 2019|website=Forces Network}}</ref> Part of the 12-year £525{{nbsp}}million contract included the construction and management of an improved training facility for Defence firefighters at the [[Fire Service College]] in Gloucestershire,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk/news-events/news/2019/capita-signs-525m-fire-and-rescue-service-contract-with-ministry-of-defence/|title=Capita signs £525m fire and rescue service contract with Ministry of Defence|website=fireservicecollege.ac.uk | publisher = Fire Service College | date = 17 December 2019 | access-date = 25 July 2021}}</ref>
which has been owned by Capita since 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sale-of-the-fire-service-college-completed |title=Sale of the Fire Service College completed|publisher=Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government|date=28 February 2013 | access-date = 25 July 2021}}</ref>


{{As of|2021|2}}, around 600 DFRS personnel have transferred into Capita Fire and Rescue, and improvements at the Fire Service College have been completed.<ref name = capitafeb />
==="Over the fence" response===
In addition, 50 new vehicles including [[Oshkosh Corporation|Oshkosh]] High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) Strikers and Angloco Multi-Purpose Response Vehicles (MPRVs) have been delivered to 11 sites.<ref name = capitafeb />


==Organisation==
As a general rule, the Defence Fire and Rescue Service only operates within the confines of the site it protects. However, as it is not a fire service recognised by the [[Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004]]{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} it has needed legislation under the Armed Forces Act to enable jurisdiction and powers of entry just like any other local authority fire service at incidents involving fire or risk to life. As such there are often local agreements for MoD fire services to cover a certain area around the site they protect and can be called for assistance by their local authority fire service colleagues as and when required.
The Defence Fire and Rescue Service is a civilian organisation, however the term 'Defence Fire' may be used colloquially to include military and civilian firefighting activities.
According to the [[gov.uk]] website, the DFR staff include:<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-fire-risk-management-organisation|title=Defence Fire and Rescue|website=GOV.UK}}</ref>


;Military
==Other responsibilities==
*[[Royal Air Force]] [[List of Royal Air Force ground trades|Trade Group 8 firefighter]]
*[[Royal Navy]] [[aircraft handler#Organisation|aircraft handler]]
;Civilian
*Defence Fire and Rescue Service
*locally employed civilian and contractor staff.


As DFR is a mixture of people, recruitment and conditions differ, but for civilians wishing to join, they would become [[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|civil servants]] and would need to apply via the Civil Service website.<ref name="auto1"/>
The new MoD fire service is not a [[fire authority]] in its own right,{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} but is a statutory authority for the purpose of enforcing fire safety standards (The [[Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005]]) at all defence sites.


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.dftdc.org/ Defence Fire Training and Development Centre]
* [http://www.romar.org.uk/page361.html Roger Mardon fire service history]
* [http://www.romar.org.uk/page361.html Roger Mardon fire service history]
* [https://twitter.com/dfr_fire?lang=en DFRS Twitter Page]


{{Fire services by country}}
{{Fire services by country}}

Latest revision as of 03:12, 6 December 2024

Defence and Fire Rescue Service
DFR / DFRS
Logo of the Defence Fire and Rescue Service
Operational area
CountryUnited Kingdom
AddressDFR HQ, Sedgemoor Building, Spur G&H, IDL 54, Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8HT
Agency overview
Established1991
MottoPreventing, Protecting, Responding[1]
Website
government page on DFR
Brand new Iveco fire trucks, delivered to RAF Akrotiri in 2019

The Defence Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) is the primary firefighting and rescue service protecting British defence estates and property. Along with the Royal Air Force Rescue and Firefighting Service, it forms the Ministry of Defence Fire Services. As of February 2021, the takeover of DFRS by private contractor Capita continues.[2]

History

[edit]

The Ministry of Defence Fire Service was formed on 1 April 1991 by the amalgamation of the Navy Department Fire Prevention Service, Army Department Fire Service, Air Force Department Fire Service and Procurement Executive Fire Service.[3] It later became part of a similarly named umbrella body, the Ministry of Defence Fire Services, which also included the RAF Firefighting and Rescue Service, a military organisation which protected mainly RAF airfields and runways.[4]

Privatisation

[edit]

In July 2019, it was announced by the Ministry of Defence that Capita had won an outsourcing contract to manage the operations at 53 sites across the UK, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands.[5] Part of the 12-year £525 million contract included the construction and management of an improved training facility for Defence firefighters at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire,[6] which has been owned by Capita since 2013.[7]

As of February 2021, around 600 DFRS personnel have transferred into Capita Fire and Rescue, and improvements at the Fire Service College have been completed.[2] In addition, 50 new vehicles including Oshkosh High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) Strikers and Angloco Multi-Purpose Response Vehicles (MPRVs) have been delivered to 11 sites.[2]

Organisation

[edit]

The Defence Fire and Rescue Service is a civilian organisation, however the term 'Defence Fire' may be used colloquially to include military and civilian firefighting activities. According to the gov.uk website, the DFR staff include:[8]

Military
Civilian
  • Defence Fire and Rescue Service
  • locally employed civilian and contractor staff.

As DFR is a mixture of people, recruitment and conditions differ, but for civilians wishing to join, they would become civil servants and would need to apply via the Civil Service website.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Adam [@BU954] (27 June 2020). "Happy Armed Forces Day 2020 @RAFFireService @DFR_FIRE https://t.co/MjBSkMjb6p" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b c "Capita celebrates key milestones under Defence Fire and Rescue Project contract". Capita. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Royal Navy, Army and RAF fire and rescue services privatised".
  4. ^ Wise, Andrew, ed. (April 2001). "Airfield support set to move to private sector". RAF News. No. 1022. Innsworth: Royal Air Force. p. 3. ISSN 0035-8614.
  5. ^ "Defence Fire And Rescue Privatisation Goes Ahead". Forces Network. 19 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Capita signs £525m fire and rescue service contract with Ministry of Defence". fireservicecollege.ac.uk. Fire Service College. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Sale of the Fire Service College completed". Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Defence Fire and Rescue". GOV.UK.
[edit]
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