Emergency Services Day (United Kingdom)
Emergency Services Day (also known as 999 Day) in the United Kingdom is an annual event on 9 September each year to promote efficiency in the UK Emergency Services, to educate the public about using the emergency services responsibly, and to promote volunteering across the emergency services in positions such as Special Constables and NHS Community Responders. Open day events are held on the nearest Sunday to 999 Day, with one main national open day rotating across the UK[1][2] The inaugural Emergency Services Day took place on 9 September 2018. The 999 Day starts at 9am to represent the 9th hour of the 9th day of the 9th month.[3][4][5][6][7]
Emergency Services Day | |
---|---|
Official name | Emergency Services Day |
Observed by | United Kingdom |
Significance | Celebration of the contributions, both past and present, of those who have served in the Emergency Services of the United Kingdom |
Observances | Open day events, parades, silences, celebrations, thanksgiving |
Date | 9 September |
Next time | 9 September 2024 |
Frequency | annual |
History
The Emergency Services Day was founded by Tom Scholes-Fogg in 2016 and launched in September 2017, with the inaugural 999 Day taking place in September 2018.[1][8][9] 999 Day was designated as an official day in 2017 by then UK Prime Minister Theresa May.[10][11]
Royal and political support
Emergency Services Day was supported since its creation by Queen Elizabeth II and has continued to be supported by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla; and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.[12] [13] [14][15][16] [17]
999 Day is also supported by Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, the First Minister of Scotland, First Minister of Wales, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, and The Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer.[18][19][20]
Timeline of event
- The inaugural main national 999 Day event took place on Sunday 9 September 2018 at Heaton Park, Manchester, England from 9am until 4pm.[8][21]
- The main national Emergency Services Day event in 2019 was held in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland on Sunday 8 September 2019.[22]
- The main national Emergency Services Day event in 2020 was due to be held in Northern Ireland but this was cancelled due to the Coronavirus.[23]
- The main national Emergency Services Day event in 2021 will be held in Northern Ireland.[23]
- The main national Emergency Services Day event in 2022 will be held in Wales.[23]
References
- NESM.org.uk (2 September 2017). "Welcome, National Emergency Services Memorial". UK: NESM.org.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- charitycommission.gov.uk (2 September 2017). "1172996 - THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY SERVICES MEMORIAL". England and Wales: charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- 999day.org.uk (3 September 2018). "999 Day, The Official Emergency Services Day". UK: 999day.org.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- Niamh Wallace, Bel Telegraph (10 September 2019). "Air ambulance called out 999 times in first two years in Northern Ireland". Belfasttelegraph. UK: belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- Rod Minchin, PA (9 September 2019). "One or two jobs catch you out, admits William on visit to Fire Fighters Charity". UK: belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- Michael Pringle (18 September 2019). "Provost praises Motherwell firefighters during Emergency Services Day". UK: dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ITV (9 September 2019). "Prince William visits Chudleigh in South Devon to support firefighters". UK: ITV.com/news. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- 999Day (2 September 2018). "999 Day, The Official Emergency Services Day". UK: www.999day.org.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- Robert Mendick, The Telegraph (8 September 2019). "Telegraph campaign for 999 heroes monument backed by Britain's biggest rescue charity". The Telegraph. UK: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- Theresa May [@Theresa_May] (9 September 2018). "I would like to thank everyone working in our emergency services on #999DayUK. They go above and beyond every day to help save lives and keep us safe" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 September 2018 – via Twitter.
- Hatty Collier (2 September 2018). "'999 day' planned to celebrate emergency services workers". Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- The Royal Family [@RoyalFamily] (9 September 2019). "Today is Emergency Services Day – a day to thank all Police, Ambulance Service and Fire Service personnel for the vital work which they do 24/7, 365 days of the year. #999Day" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 October 2019 – via Twitter.
- Clarence House [@ClarenceHouse] (9 September 2019). "Today it is #999Day, a day to celebrate and show our support to all those who work in the emergency services throughout the year. Thank you for all that you do to keep us safe" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 October 2019 – via Twitter.
- Kensington Palace [@KensingtonRoyal] (9 September 2019). ""As a society, we owe our wellbeing, and indeed our lives, to the men and women in our emergency services who work tirelessly to protect us in some of the most difficult circumstances." — The Duke of Cambridge" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 October 2019 – via Twitter.
- Emily Nash (9 September 2019). "Prince William reveals plans to train as a volunteer counsellor". UK: HelloMagazine.com. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- Hannah Furness, The Telegraph (9 September 2019). "Prince William plans to train as text crisis counsellor as he launches new emergency services helpline". The Telegraph. UK: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- The Royal Family [@RoyalFamily] (19 October 2022). "Across the UK, over 2,000,000 people work or volunteer across the emergency services. Today on Emergency Services Day, we thank everyone across the NHS and all the emergency and security services for the incredible work that you do. #999Day" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 August 2023 – via Twitter.
- First Minister [@ScotGovFM] (9 September 2019). "First Minister @NicolaSturgeon sends heartfelt thanks this Emergency Services Day" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 October 2019 – via Twitter.
- @Official999Day (9 September 2019). ""All of us in this country owe each of you a debt of gratitude. So it is only right that, on Emergency Services Day, we celebrate your work and, as a nation, say a huge "thank you" for doing so much for so many." @BorisJohnson, Prime Minister" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 October 2019 – via Twitter.
- "Supporters – Emergency Services Day". Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- BBC News (9 September 2018). "BBC, "First '999 day' honours emergency services across the UK"". UK: www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
- Official999Day (28 November 2018). "JUST ANNOUNCED: The second Emergency Services Day (the main national event) will be held on Sunday 8th September 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland". Retrieved 28 November 2018.
- Official999Day (11 December 2018). "JEmergency Services Day - 9th September each year! 2018: Manchester, England, 2019: Edinburgh, Scotland, 2020: Northern Ireland, 2021: Wales". Retrieved 27 December 2018.