News with partners: Shropshire to host key flagship event for national 999 Day on Thursday

News with partners

Shrewsbury has been chosen as one of the key flagship locations to celebrate national 999 day on Thursday 9 September 2021.

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire and the High Sheriff of Shropshire will lead the county’s celebrations for Emergency Services Day with a special ceremony at St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury from 8.30am on Thursday 9 September 2021. The event is being supported by Shropshire Council.

999 Day – 9 Sep 2021

The 999 Day flag will be raised across the country, and above St Chad’s at 9am, to mark the 9th hour of the 9th day of the 9th month. There’ll also be a two-minute silence observed at 9am.

Emergency Services Day, also known as 999 Day, is a national day which takes place on 9 September each year. 999 Day is an opportunity for the country to celebrate the two million people who work and volunteer across the NHS and emergency services, including the more than 250,000 first responders. The day brings together senior Government leaders, the emergency services and the public to celebrate the work of the NHS and emergency services.

The public are also being invited to attend the event, but will need to use St Julian’s Car Park or another alternative car park, as parking at St Chad’s will be limited to dignitaries attending the ceremony.

999 Day is also aimed at promoting efficiency and educating the public about using the services responsibly. It aims to promote emergency services charities, and to highlight the many different career and volunteer roles available.

Founded in 2016 by Tom Scholes-Fogg, 999 Day has secured the support of Her Majesty The Queen, Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Duke of Cambridge. It has the backing of the Prime Minister and the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Attendees at the service at St Chad’s include representatives from West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue’s chief, and West Midlands Ambulance Service.

The 999 Day’s founder, Tom Scholes-Fogg, and Deputy Chief Executive, Keith Fraser, will also be present, having accepted an invite from the Lord-Lieutenant.

Speaking about the event, Anna Turner, HM’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, said:-

“We teach our children how to dial 999 from an early age because we know our emergency services are so incredibly important. In a crisis they bring help, knowledge, calmness and support. I am so pleased that we have this very special day to put them at the front of our thoughts and show the gratitude they deserve.”

Tony Morris-Eyton, the High Sheriff of Shropshire, said:-

“Shropshire is proud to support Emergency Services Day. The emergency services are unsung heroes, whom many take for granted but rely on in their hour of need. The staff of the three principal services, police, fire and ambulance, together with the NHS, work selflessly for us all, often exposing themselves to personal danger on our behalf. It is important that we use Emergency Services Day to show our appreciation and gratitude.”

Tom Scholes-Fogg, founder and Chief Executive of 999 Day, said:

“Emergency Services Day is an opportunity for the country to promote our NHS and 999 heroes – past and present. We are indebted to those who run into danger when others run away. I very much look forward to attending the service in Shropshire, hosted by the HM’s Lord-Lieutenant, Anna Turner.”

Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council, added:-

“It’s a great privilege for 999 Day to choose to host this flagship event in Shropshire. We work closely with many of our emergency services, who I know go above and beyond their role of duty.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community to offer our gratitude and thanks to all those for their vital work in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the public, and who in many cases put their own lives before others. We remain indebted to the all the work you do, which has been ever important over the last 18 months of the pandemic.”

Road closure and diversion 

To accommodate the event, there will be a temporary road closure of St Chad’s Terrace from its junction with St John’s Hill to the junction with Claremont Hill on Thursday 9 September between 8am and 10am.

Access for local traffic will be along Beeches Lane, Town Walls and Murivance. There’ll also be access to St Julian’s Car Park (off Williams Way).

A diversion for through traffic will be signed via: Wyle Cop; High Street; Mardol Head; Shoplatch; Bellstone; Barker Street; and Bridge Street.

Businesses are open as usual, and all car parks will be available as normal.

Further information 

Contact for media and additional information:

Tom Scholes-Fogg, Founder and Chief Executive of the 999 Day,

tsf@999dayorg.uk @TScholesFogg

• 999 Day’s Twitter is @999Day and the hashtag is #999Day
• 999 Day’s Facebook and Instagram is @Official999Day
• 999 Day’s Website is www.999Day.org.uk

Background

Emergency Services Day 999 Day) is a Government-backed national day across the UK, which takes place on 9 September each year. It is your chance to show your support for our selfless 999 heroes past and present.

More than two million people work and volunteer in the NHS and emergency services today, including 250,000 first responders. They work in a range of jobs – from answering emergency calls to dealing with administration to practising medicine, fighting fires, policing the streets and saving lives at sea.

Aims of Emergency Services Day:

• Promoting volunteering across the emergency services such as in the special constabulary, NHS community responders, volunteer firefighters, coastguard and search and rescue volunteers.
• Promoting the many career options available in the NHS and emergency services.
• Promoting using the emergency services responsibly.
• Educating the public on essential skills including how to be safe in the water, fire safety, crime prevention, and basic yet essential life-saving skills.
• 999 Day is an excellent opportunity for emergency services charities to fundraise, raise their profile, and generate support.
• A chance to engage with the communities we serve.