EMERGENCY services workers from across Wiltshire observed two minutes’ silence at 9am last Thursday to mark Emergency Services Day.

Also known as 999 Day, the event is a national celebration and commemoration across the UK, held each year on the ninth day of the ninth month.

It focuses on all emergency services – not just police, fire and ambulance, but organisations such as NHS community responders, St John Ambulance, the RNLI, volunteer search & rescue teams, and the Coastguard. The silence at 9am honours all those who have lost their lives as a result of their service to the nation.

Andy Cole, Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We welcome this national recognition of the work of all emergency services, including the essential work of so many volunteers, and we will be observing the two minutes’ silence at fire stations and other workplaces across our service.

"Our annual awards ceremony is also being held on September 9 this year, which will be another great opportunity for us to celebrate the work of our staff and acknowledge how we work with partners, both at incidents and in our prevention and protection work."

The service also supported the National Fire Chiefs’ Council in observing a minute’s silence on Saturday to mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the United States of America. This commemoration was held at 1.46pm, the exact time the first tower of the World Trade Center was attacked.

Wiltshire Police says it was also proud to support this year’s Emergency Services 999 Day. The annual event is dedicated to showing some appreciation for the country’s selfless 999 heroes, past and present.

Wiltshire’s chief constable Kier Pritchard said the last 18 months had been particularly challenging for everyone and people had worked much harder throughout the year.

Mr Pritchard said: “999 day is an opportunity for us all to reflect on our emergency service providers across Swindon and Wiltshire, both past and present.

“I am immensely proud and grateful to be surrounded and supported by officers and staff who work tirelessly to protect local communities and never hesitate to attend sometimes life-threatening emergencies.

“Occasionally, my officers must make swift, lifesaving decisions and often put themselves in danger in doing so. I want to thank all my work force - operational, staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication in demonstrating the true meaning of public service.

“Thank you to all our partner agencies and colleagues across the emergency service teams who play a part to serve our communities and keep people in Swindon and Wiltshire safe from harm.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “We owe a huge debt to our emergency service workers - putting their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. Somehow just saying ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem enough.

“The immense pride and deepest gratitude I have for all frontline workers cannot be measured. Public service is more than a job, it’s a way of life.

“Those in public service never think they are doing anything out of the ordinary, but they are. Their extraordinary sacrifice, courage and determination to make our communities safer every day can never be under-estimated and, for that, I send my heartfelt thanks.”

Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “The last 18 months have been exceptionally challenging for staff working in our emergency services, who have had to adapt to the ever-changing situation presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, but have continued to work throughout to keep our residents safe and care for them in emergency situations.

“Wiltshire Council is proud to work alongside all of the emergency services operating in Wiltshire and we celebrate and thank all frontline staff for their dedication and the work that they do to protect people and save lives.”

Wiltshire’s Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sarah Troughton, said: “I am delighted to join many others in celebrating the fantastic work done by our emergency services in Wiltshire and Swindon on this National Emergency Services Day 2021."

“Wiltshire Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Services and the South Western Ambulance Service play a vital role in keeping us all safe, and on behalf of the Wiltshire Lieutenancy may I thank everyone very much indeed for their important roles in the different organisations, and for their contribution to our county.”