Emergency Services Day
September 9
About Emergency Services Day
Emergency Services Day, also known as 999 Day, takes place on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 across the United Kingdom. It is a national day dedicated to honouring the police officers, firefighters, paramedics, NHS staff, search and rescue teams, and the many volunteers who keep the country safe. The day also promotes public safety, encourages people to consider careers in the emergency services, and supports the charities that look after those who serve.
What is Emergency Services Day?
Emergency Services Day is a nationwide observance held every 9 September that recognises the contribution of the United Kingdom’s 999 responders and the NHS. It is organised by the Emergency Services Day charity and brings together all the blue light services, the coastguard, the armed forces, and the volunteers who support them. The day has five clear aims: to thank serving and retired personnel, to promote careers and volunteering across the services, to encourage responsible use of 999, to teach the public essential life-saving skills, and to raise funds for emergency services charities.
When is Emergency Services Day?
Emergency Services Day falls on Wednesday, 9 September 2026. The date is fixed and never changes, falling on the ninth day of the ninth month as a deliberate nod to the 999 emergency telephone number. Commemorations traditionally begin at 9am, when 999 Day flags are raised at town halls, fire stations, hospitals, and public buildings around the country.
Why Emergency Services Day Matters
Almost two million people work and volunteer across the UK’s emergency services and the NHS, including roughly 250,000 first responders who answer calls at all hours. These are the people the public turns to on the worst day of their lives, yet their work often goes unseen until a crisis arrives. Emergency Services Day creates a single moment in the calendar for the nation to say thank you. It also carries a note of remembrance: a two-minute silence honours the more than 7,500 emergency personnel who have died in the line of duty over the past two centuries. Beyond gratitude, the day has a practical purpose, reminding people to keep 999 free for genuine emergencies and to learn skills such as CPR that can save a life before help arrives.
How to Get Involved in Emergency Services Day
There are many ways to mark the day, whether you serve, know someone who does, or simply want to show your support.
- Raise or fly the 999 Day flag – Organisations, schools, and councils can register to fly the official flag from 9am, joining buildings across the country in a visible show of thanks.
- Observe the two-minute silence – Pause at the appointed time to remember the responders who lost their lives serving their communities.
- Learn life-saving skills – Use the day as a prompt to learn CPR or basic first aid, so you can act confidently in the crucial minutes before an ambulance arrives.
- Thank a responder – A simple message of gratitude to a serving or retired police officer, firefighter, paramedic, or NHS worker goes a long way.
- Donate to an emergency services charity – Many charities support injured responders, bereaved families, and the mental health of those who serve. A donation helps that work continue.
- Consider a career or volunteering role – The services rely heavily on volunteers, from special constables to community first responders and RNLI crews. The day is a good moment to explore how you could contribute.
- Use 999 responsibly – Share reminders that 999 is for emergencies only, and that 101 and 111 exist for non-urgent police and health matters, helping keep lines clear for those in real danger.
- Spread the word online – Share photos, tributes, and stories using the official hashtag to amplify the message of thanks.
History of Emergency Services Day
Emergency Services Day was founded by serving police officer Tom Scholes-Fogg, who first conceived the idea more than a decade before it launched. The seed was planted in a conversation with his grandfather, former Sergeant John Scholes. In 2001, after the death in the line of duty of PC Alison Armitage of Greater Manchester Police, her colleagues planted a tree in her memory. Reflecting on the moment, Sergeant Scholes told his grandson that the country did not look after its emergency services as well as it should. That observation stayed with Tom, who went on to join the police himself.
The campaign gained official status in 2017, when then Prime Minister Theresa May designated 9 September as the United Kingdom’s Emergency Services Day. The choice of date, 9/9, was a natural fit given the 999 number that connects the public to help in an emergency. Since then the day has grown into a national event with high-profile backing.
Today Emergency Services Day is supported by His Majesty The King, the Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister, and the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It has expanded to include a 999 Festival of Thanksgiving and a wide programme of local events, flag-raisings, and fundraising activities that take place up and down the country each September.
Noteworthy Facts About Emergency Services Day
- The date 9 September was chosen to echo the 999 emergency number, with commemorations beginning at 9am.
- Almost two million people work and volunteer across the UK emergency services and NHS.
- More than 7,500 emergency personnel have died in the line of duty in the UK over the past 200 years.
- The day was made official in 2017 by Prime Minister Theresa May.
- Founder Tom Scholes-Fogg is himself a serving police officer, and the idea originated with his grandfather, a former police sergeant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emergency Services Day?
Emergency Services Day, or 999 Day, is a UK national day held on 9 September each year to thank emergency responders and NHS staff, promote public safety, and support emergency services charities.
When is Emergency Services Day in 2026?
It takes place on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, with commemorations traditionally starting at 9am.
Why is Emergency Services Day held on 9 September?
The date 9/9 was chosen as a deliberate reference to 999, the UK emergency telephone number, making it easy to remember and symbolically fitting.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Emergency Services Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #999Day and #999Day2026 on social media. The more people who know about Emergency Services Day, the louder the nation’s thank you to those who serve.
Related Awareness Days
- Restart A Heart Day – Teaches the public CPR skills that can save lives before the emergency services arrive.
- Emergency Number Day – Highlights the importance of emergency phone numbers and using them responsibly.
- Get Ready Day – Encourages households to prepare for emergencies and disasters before they happen.
Links
Featured image: Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash.
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