The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is proud to celebrate National Emergency Services Day this weekend – which recognises the efforts of lifesavers.
Tribute will be paid to dedicated emergency services workers, including fire and rescue, police and ambulance service personnel, who protect and keep communities safe.
The event, also called 999 Day, will take place on September 9, beginning at 9am – to represent the 9th hour of the 9th day of the 9th month.
SFRS Chief Officer Alasdair Hay marked the day by extending his thanks to all the women and men working throughout the United Kingdom for their “extraordinary” commitment.
He said: “I am delighted to mark National Emergency Services Day which provides me with a real opportunity to highlight the outstanding efforts of our own Scottish Fire and Rescue Service family.
“This includes frontline crews, control firefighters and professional support staff, all pulling together each and every day to keep our communities safe.
“But this would not be possible without our partners within Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service, and all those other outstanding organisations who step up when we are called upon to assist, and sometimes in the very darkest hours.
“This is a close partnership here in Scotland and one that is replicated right across the UK. I am indeed humbled by the efforts of all of my emergency service colleagues.”
Chief Officer Hay has served for 34 years and his wife works for the Health Service. They have one son serving in the British Army and the other as a frontline firefighter.
He said: “I am proud to play a small part in our National Emergency Services Day which is a clear indication of the valued respect and support from our communities.”
The charity National Emergency Services Memorial (NESM) hopes to raise £2 million to build the first national cenotaph dedicated to the courage and sacrifice of public servants.
The monument would honour the 7,000-plus personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty and also give thanks to the more than one million people working in the sector today.
Dr Kirsty Darwent is Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board. Her husband previously served with the Royal Navy.
She said: “I am also delighted to have been given this opportunity to pay tribute to all of our amazing people both here within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service family, and those across the United Kingdom who work so hard to serve and protect communities.
“I believe that once you are part of a lifesaving organisation such as ours, it very quickly gets under your skin and you feel an attachment and loyalty that serves as a real driving force.
“Our emergency service workers are the most amazing individuals and I am so proud that their outstanding efforts are being formally recognised across the UK today.”
