'HEROIC' police, fire, and ambulance personnel were honoured for their unfailing work and sacrifices at a moving service attended by hundreds.

Emergency Services Day, or ‘999 Day’, has been celebrated every year on September 9 since 2016. 

It’s the public’s chance to say thank you to the two million heroes, including 250,000 first responders, of the police, fire, ambulance, and search and rescue services, as well as the Coastguard.

This year, the Cheshire West event took the form of a flag-raising service at Chester Town Hall, attended by the senior officers and representatives from each of the services, the Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Razia Daniels, and the Sheriff of Chester, Cllr Alex Tate.  

The event began at 9am with the raising of the Emergency Services flag, followed by prayers, and a poignant two minutes’ silence to commemorate the more than 7,500 emergency services personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The ceremony was attended by Cheshire West and Chester and Northwich town councillor, Sam Naylor, who is both the borough's armed forces champion and a retired police detective inspector of 33 years’ service.  

He said: “Emergency services personnel run towards situations which everyone else is running away from, and 999 Day is really a thank you from the nation for everything they do.

“Thousands of emergency workers have lost their lives in the past, and the recent riots are just one example of how, on a daily basis, these heroic men and women voluntarily put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of their communities.

“We never had anything like this during my service, so it was really pleasing to be able to get involved.

“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m glad it has.”

Founded by police officer Tom Scholes-Fogg, 999 Day was established in response to the absence of a national day dedicated to honouring the millions of people who have served in the NHS and emergency services.

Lord Mayor of Chester, Razia Daniels, said: “The dedication shown by all those who work for the emergency services, be it from behind a desk or delivering the service at the front line, is commendable.

“On behalf of all the residents of Chester West, I offer our heartfelt thanks for being there for us.”