The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will join colleagues from across the UK in celebrating National Emergency Services Day this weekend.
The festival will include a memorial service at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and an open-air celebration of everything 999 at Princess Gardens in Edinburgh.
The day was formed to recognise the efforts of lifesavers across the UK – both serving and those who once served.
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 memorial service, attended by SFRS Chief Officer Martin Blunden alongside other dignitaries, took place yesterday with the open-air event taking place tomorrow (Sunday, September 8).
And at 9am, on Monday, September 9 SFRS will fall silent alongside UK colleagues to remember those who have passed away.
Chief Officer Blunden has spoken ahead of the day to extend his thanks to all the women and men working throughout the United Kingdom for their “extraordinary” commitment.
He said: “It is an honour for us to stand alongside our colleagues from across the UK to mark National Emergency Services day – it gives me a real opportunity to highlight the outstanding efforts of our staff and partners.
“This includes everyone, staff in operations control, firefighters, officers and those working behind the scenes to ensure we continue working every day to protect Scotland’s communities.
“It goes without saying that 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.”
The charity who organised the event is National Emergency Services Memorial (NESM). They hope 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 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: “Working in a service such as ours means you are part of a family that extends to cover all of the 999 services. We all share a common goal – protecting our communities.
“It is therefore only right that we come together as one to pay tribute to those who continue to serve, and those who have gone before.
“We are delighted to be able to stand alongside our colleagues and partners and formally recognise the outstanding contributions from our emergency service professionals across the UK.”
Emergency Services Day is a FREE event with emergency services vehicles, stalls and animals.
It’s aimed at promoting the work our emergency services do, educating the public about using the services responsibly, promoting service volunteer opportunities, it’s an opportunity for 999 charities to fundraise, and for people to engage with the emergency services and see the equipment and vehicles used to keep people safe.
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