SUNDERLAND is flying the flag to mark the annual Emergency Services Day on Tuesday 9 September.
At 9am, on the ninth day of the ninth month (999) the Emergency Services flag will be raised at City Hall as public buildings across the country show their appreciation for those who work in the Police, Fire and Rescue, Ambulance, NHS, maritime (Coastguard and Lifeboats) and Search and Rescue (Mountain, Lowland, Mine and Cave).
Residents are also invited to join in a two-minute silence at 9am honouring the more than 7,500 emergency workers who have lost their lives in service in the last 200 years.
This is the ninth consecutive year the commemoration has taken place to raise public awareness of the work and sacrifice of all those involved.
Based on the success of Armed Forces Day, Emergency Services Day is also designed to promote the work of the emergency services, share community safety messages and encourage more people to volunteer in roles ranging from special constables and retained firefighters, to RNLI/Coastguard crew and NHS community responders.
The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque, said: "Approximately two million people across the country work to keep our emergency services running, whether that's NHS, Ambulance, Police, Fire and Rescue, Maritime or Search and Rescue. These are services we all hope we won't need to use but they are vital for keeping us safe and protecting us from danger.
"The people who carry out these services - many of them volunteers - are often doing extraordinary work under enormous pressure, so today we are recognising everything they do on national Emergency Services Day. I hope people will see the flag flying at City Hall and other public buildings and be encouraged to pay their own personal tributes."
Founder and Chief Executive of Emergency Services Day, Tom Scholes-Fogg said: "On 999 Day we unite as a country to pay tribute to our emergency services, who show courage, compassion, and dedication every single day. Their selfless service, often in the most difficult of circumstances, keeps our communities safe and secure. We owe them our deepest gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families make for us all."
To find out more visit: Emergency Services Day
