In his latest regular column, the Chairman of Maldon District Council, Councillor Mark Heard, discusses the upcoming Emergency Services Day, and how the district will mark it.

At 9am on Thursday, 9 September, in the company of Mr Les Davis, the Tri-Service Rural Community Officer, I have the privilege of raising a flag at the District Council Offices to celebrate Emergency Services Day also known as 999 Day).

This is an annual event held in the UK each year, and is part of the National Services Memorial, a registered charity in England, Wales and Scotland. Its main goal is to celebrate the contribution of people who serve or who have served in the UK emergency services.

But why is it held on 9 September? Well, in many countries, there are emergency telephone numbers that people can use to contact their local emergency services. The best known emergency services numbers are probably 999, 911 or 112, but 999 is the oldest one and it is this number, that prompted the choice of the date for Emergency Services Day, so it is observed on September 9 (being the 9th day of the 9th month) beginning at 9am.

This special day highlights and promotes volunteering across the emergency services. It educates the public on essential life-saving skills, promotes the responsible use of the emergency services, and gives associated charities an opportunity to generate, support and raise funds.

Les Davis is the Tri-Service Rural Community Officer, representing all three emergency services. He has been working in the Maldon and the Dengie Peninsula areas of Essex and has established himself as a pivotal member of the community, making Essex safer by working and collaborating with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), Essex Police and The East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST).

The role is part of a 15-month pilot between the services, with the support of Roger Hirst the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

Linking all three emergency services together in such a collaborative way means organisations can either directly tackle or pass on safety concerns at a very local level.

As we continue working throughout the current health crisis, things obviously run a little differently, but flexibility and collaboration are the key areas to make a real difference to Maldon District.

Whilst raising the flag, I will be remembering many of my emergency services colleagues past and present that I encountered in my 40 years working for Essex Police and recognising the great contributions of our local heroes - Police Officers, Special Constables, firefighters and ambulance workers.

Many of these people are the first responders and they are the real life savers! No wonder this special day is worth celebrating.

I hope you too will spare a thought and support those who put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe.

Councillor Mark S. Heard