THE work of millions of staff and volunteers who serve in the NHS and emergency services has today (9 September) been recognised in Waverley on Emergency Services Day.
Ceremonies took place across the UK, including outside Waverley Borough Council’s offices at The Burys in Godalming, where flags were raised in tribute to those who dedicate their lives to public duty.
Those recognised included all six branches of the emergency services - police, fire and rescue, ambulance, NHS, maritime (coastguard and lifeboats) and search and rescue (mountain, lowland, mine and cave).
As part of the tributes a two-minute silence was held to remember more than 7,500 emergency services personnel who have been killed as a result of their duties over the past 200 years.
Approximately two million people work and volunteer across the NHS and emergency services today, many of whom are volunteers, without whom the emergency services could not operate effectively.
999 flags have been flying outside Government departments and local authority buildings with the wider public encouraged to observe the two-minute silence.
The Mayor of Waverley, Councillor John Robini, was joined by representatives of the emergency services in Surrey, including police, fire and rescue and ambulance.
Cllr Robini said: “We owe a massive debt of gratitude to the millions of people who work and volunteer for the emergency services and historically, many more who have served with tireless dedication in the service of others.
“999 Day has taken on an even greater significance given the challenge of past 18 months with so many example of people working selflessly to save and protect lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. I never fail to be impressed by the commitment and dedication that is shown by our emergency services and staff during a time of great adversity. 999 Day is an opportunity to pause and say ‘Thank-you. You have been magnificent’.”
999 Day is a national day of recognition which appropriately takes place on the ninth day of the ninth month in the calendar year.
The first 999 Day took place in 2017 and was launched with support from Her Majesty The Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duke of Cambridge.