Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority and Serco announce new partnership to bid for MOD fire service

Serco and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority (HFRA) have announced their intention to work together and bid for safety related contracts in both the public and commercial sectors. First amongst these is expected to be the Ministry of Defence (MOD) opportunity to bid for the Defence Fire Risk and Management Organisation (DFRMO), which is likely to come to market shortly. DFRMO currently provides fire risk management to MOD sites and operations in the UK and overseas.

Serco's innovation, commercial know-how and experience in delivering services for the MOD and other safety critical organisations combined with HFRA's excellent technical knowledge and expertise will bring together best practice from both sectors. This will offer customers a unique, high quality and cost-effective solution for delivering fire and rescue services.

HFRA will partner with Serco via a newly created commercial trading arm, which will re-invest its profits back into the services it provides to the local community.  This will not only help HFRA meet future financial challenges caused by the squeeze in public finances, but also help protect frontline services for the local community.

Councillor Royston Smith, Chairman of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority said: "In Serco we have found a strategic partner that complements our skills, has a strong track record of excellent service delivery and whose values are very much aligned with ours. Our partnership with Serco will not impact on the existing services we provide but it will improve our ability to generate income and so ensure we have the financial strength to provide the very best service to the people of Hampshire.  We very much look forward to working with them."

Simon Pilling, Serco's Managing Director, Defence added: "We are delighted to be able to work in partnership with one of the most respected and high performing fire and rescue services in the UK. HFRA are a proactive and highly efficient organisation that, like us, has strong values and is committed to excellent service delivery."

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