Every year on the 9th September, the UK marks 999 Day. It’s a moment set aside to recognise the vital work of the Emergency Services workers who are there for all of us in times of need. That includes Police, Fire, Ambulance, NHS, Maritime (Coastguard and Lifeboats), and Search & Rescue services, plus volunteers across all of the above.
All in all, more than two million people work in the Emergency Services and NHS, including 250,000 first responders. At 9am on 9th September, the country observes a two-minute silence to recognise them.
As so many of those workers are members of the Blue Light Card community, we reached out to them to ask who they’ll be thinking of and what experiences they’ll be reflecting on. Here’s what they told us.
Many of our members shouted out the people they work alongside every day. Chris, a Blood Bikes courier, wanted to spotlight his team, the Yeovil Freewheelers – a volunteer group operating across Yeovil, Dorchester, Taunton and Wincanton hospitals.
“The demand for our services is still growing after 48 years supporting the NHS at zero cost. We transport most things (if we can load it onto a bike), including: equipment, medication, samples, documentation, etc. We also cover relays to various locations across the country, including Norwich & Manchester, by liaising with other Blood Bike groups.”
Blue Light Card member Helen worked in social care alongside Police for years before she retired – and this 999 Day, she’ll be thinking about the officers she worked with.
“I often think of the Police Officers I worked alongside before I retired, particularly some of the awful situations we found ourselves in and the trauma and suffering we faced. I'm retired now, but they continue to work hard every day, protecting children, families and the public.”
Another member named Helen, who works at the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwick Emergency Department, thanked everyone involved in keeping A&E moving.
“Each person has their own role to play, and the cog would not turn efficiently without everyone doing their part. They all deserve a medal.”
For some members of the Blue Light community, 999 Day brings to mind the moments when they've found themselves grateful for other frontline services.
Police Officer Stephen shared his thanks for the staff of the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, who treated him throughout a cancer diagnosis. “As a serving and fit Police Officer, the news was a bolt out of the blue. Not a team I wanted to meet, but so glad I did.”
Blue Light Card member Roger worked in the ambulance service for years. In 2020, he caught Covid-19 while on the job. A week later, he found himself paralysed from the neck down, in need of the same kind of care he so often provided for others. He spent three months in hospital. Roger told us:
“I’d like to thank two physios, Annie and Rosa, who saved my life. They went above and beyond to teach me to walk and do things for myself again. I left hospital 90% back to health. Two incredible human beings who I owe my future to.”
Police Community Support Officer Graham shared a story of joining forces with NHS paramedics for unexpected backup in a sticky situation:
“I was dealing with a drunk male in the middle of a main road causing chaos. An ambulance pulled up opposite us with two paramedics getting out and walking towards us. One paramedic then helped us restrain the man until the cavalry arrived. Best backup ever.”
Dawn works in the NHS, but this 999 Day she’ll be thinking of the Police service where her son is a serving officer. She’s grateful that “he puts himself in harm's way to keep us safe.”
Jennifer, another NHS worker, is keeping the Fire service in mind. She has been following this summer's grass fires closely, thinking of the hard work first responders have been putting in. “I would like to recognise all the firefighters who have had to deal with the recent spate of grass fires. We owe them massively.”
And Allen, who works in social care, has a message for all the first responders out there:
“Thank you for doing your best to keep us safe and get us out of tricky spots. Your hard work and dedication benefit us all throughout our lives. I hope you get the recognition you deserve, on 9th September and every day.”
Whether it’s through the lens of working in or needing support from Emergency Services, it’s clear that this community deserves its moment of recognition.
Got a colleague to shout out, a team you want to recognise or a story from the front lines you’d like to share? Email us at yourstories@bluelightcard.co.uk to get involved.
