Posted on: 9th September 2024, by Magrathea
Emergency Services Day (also known as 999 Day) is a national day across the UK and is our chance to support the selfless men and women of the NHS and emergency services. The day was founded in 2017 by Thomas Scholes-Fogg – a police officer within a major English police force – after discovering that there was no annual day across Britain to honour our 999 heroes.
On this day we are encouraged to think about the approximately 2 million people who work or volunteer in the emergency services & NHS, without whom these services could not operate as effectively as they do. We are also encouraged to remember over 7,500 members of the emergency services who have sadly lost their lives in the line of duty over the past 200 years.
999 is an official telephone number which allows the caller to contact emergency services for urgent assistance and was first introduced in 1937. The number 999 was chosen for accessibility, because if unable to see the dial, on a rotary dial 999 could be dialled by placing a finger one hole away from the dial stop and rotating the dial to the full extent three times.
Today emergency calls to 999 are an essential service that we now all take for granted. Behind the scenes the technology used to enable these calls is ever evolving; at Magrathea we understand our responsibility in ensuring these calls connect every time they’re needed and continually work to ensure our network is resilient and reliable. We’re very proud to play our part in ensuring that when 999 (and 112) calls are dialled, it’s with confidence that our brave frontline heroes will be able to assist.
999Day aims to promote the work of the emergency services, encourages using the emergency services responsibly, educates the public about basic lifesaving skills, and highlights the many career and volunteering opportunities available. To remember those who have been killed as a result of their service to our nation, let us all observe the 2-minute silence today at 9am and give thanks for these vital services.
#999Day