Council Chair shares experiences of 999 call on Emergency Services Day

The Chair of Three Rivers District Council has shared her own dramatic experiences of being rescued by paramedics after she collapsed and suffered a head injury.

Cllr Debbie Morris was speaking after raising the Emergency Services Day flag over Three Rivers House, the headquarters of Three Rivers District Council in Rickmansworth, to mark the national awareness day.

Cllr Morris recalled the incident which happened in 2017. She said: “Having had to call 999 on several occasions in my life, I have never been let down by their response. When I passed out at home sustaining a worrying head injury in the process, a paramedic was there in eight minutes to provide help and reassurance before calling an ambulance crew to take me to hospital.

“I was extremely grateful and know I speak on behalf of all residents in extending my thanks to everyone who works and volunteers for our wonderful emergency services."

Cllr Morris was joined by council Leader Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Detective Inspector Alexandra Bruzas of Hertfordshire Constabulary, and Station Commander Jim Moran of Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service at the flag raising ceremony.

Emergency Services Day, also known as 999 Day, usually takes place on 9 September each year but was rescheduled following the death of the Queen, the day before.

Emergency Services Day is a national day and an opportunity for the country to pay tribute to the almost two million people who work and volunteer across the NHS and emergency services. It was founded by police officer Tom Scholes-Fogg and celebrates its fifth birthday this year.

Cllr Sarah Nelmes said: “There is a danger that we take for granted the emergency services and the people who work for them, knowing they will always be there when we need them. In reality, this wouldn’t be the case without the sacrifice and dedication of those who work for the emergency services, the brave and resilient individuals who on a daily basis take great risks to keep us safe. The pandemic and all the events associated with it have only increased the strain on our emergency service, yet our communities have continued to be protected by these teams of highly skilled and dedicated people.

"I would like to extend a truly heartfelt message of thanks to each and every person who, in whatever capacity, helps the emergency services to always be there for us when we need them. Thank you.”

The event formally begins with 999 Day flags being raised across the UK – usually at 9am to mark the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month, followed by two minutes’ silence to remember the more than 7,500 members of the emergency services killed in the line of duty and the many more killed as a result of their service.