Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council marked Emergency Services Day on Wednesday 9 September with an official flag raising ceremony at Lagan Valley Island to honour the dedicated men and women who serve in the emergency services and the NHS.
Emergency Services Day, also known as 999 Day, is an annual opportunity to recognise the vital work carried out by emergency personnel and volunteers who provide lifesaving support to communities across the United Kingdom.
The day encourages the public to use emergency services responsibly and highlights the essential role played by the six main branches of emergency response including police, fire and rescue, ambulance, NHS, maritime services and search and rescue teams.
Speaking at the event, Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Brian Higginson, said: “As Mayor, it is a privilege to stand with our emergency services and express the gratitude of everyone in Lisburn and Castlereagh. This day reminds us of the extraordinary commitment shown by those who respond in moments of crisis. Their professionalism, compassion and courage protect our residents every single day.
“My Mayoral theme this year is centred on service and there is no greater example of service than the work carried out by our emergency services. I am also proud to support Air Ambulance Northern Ireland as my Mayoral Charity. Its lifesaving work, carried out from right here in Lisburn, demonstrates the profound impact that dedicated teams can have on people across Northern Ireland.
“I want to offer a sincere thank you to every member of our emergency services for the remarkable work they do and for the difference they make to so many lives.”
During the ceremony, a two-minute silence was observed to remember more than 7,500 members of the emergency services who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the past 200 years.
To mark this special day, flags were raised across Northern Ireland on Wednesday 9 September at government, emergency services and local authority buildings.