Moray Council marks Emergency Services Day and strengthens support for volunteers
Moray Council has raised the Emergency Services Day flag above its headquarters in Elgin to observe the annual national day of recognition for those who serve and volunteer across the UK's emergency services.
Emergency Services Day, also known as 999 Day, celebrates the dedication, courage and commitment of frontline responders while promoting public awareness of lifesaving skills, responsible use of emergency services and the many volunteering opportunities available.
Representatives from Moray's emergency service organisations joined elected members, council officers, Vice Lord Lieutenant for Moray and Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Banffshire for the flag-raising ceremony, which also provided an opportunity to recognise the vital contribution made by volunteers who help keep communities safe.
This year's event also highlights Moray Council's continued commitment to supporting employees who volunteer within emergency service organisations. The council recently formalised its commitment to provide the required leave for staff to undertake training for part-time emergency services roles, such as retained firefighters or special constables. This change brings the policy into line with the leave given for armed forces volunteers, helping to strengthen local resilience while supporting employees who give their time to serve the community.
The policy applies to employees who volunteer with recognised emergency service organisations, including services such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), HM Coastguard, Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (MIRO), Community First Responders, mountain rescue teams, retained fire services and other emergency response organisations.
Leader of Moray Council, Councillor Kathleen Robertson, said: “Emergency Services Day gives us an opportunity to thank the professional responders and volunteers who step forward when our communities need them most.
“Volunteers play a crucial role in keeping Moray safe, often giving up their own time to undertake specialist training and respond to incidents at any hour of the day or night. By embedding special leave provision within our employment policies, we're demonstrating our support for staff who make that commitment and helping remove barriers to volunteering.”
Moray Council Civic Leader, Councillor John Cowe, added: “Emergency service personnel and volunteers regularly go above and beyond in challenging and sometimes dangerous circumstances. Emergency Services Day is a chance to recognise their service and sacrifice, while also encouraging others to consider volunteering.”
Emergency Services Day is observed annually on 9 September and brings together organisations across the UK to recognise emergency service workers, volunteers and support staff. The day also remembers those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and celebrates the contribution of volunteers, who form an essential part of the emergency services family.