Emergency Services Day in Moray: Thank-you all so much
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A flag has been raised today at Moray Council HQ in Elgin to mark Emergency Services Day.
Representatives from the NHS, the police and the fire service were all present at the ceremony, during which a two-minute silence was observed.
Also present were members of the Coastguard, RAF Mountain Rescue and Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation.
Other dignitaries included Seymour Monro, the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, and his Banffshire counterpart Andrew Simpson, as well as the council's chief executive Roddy Burns and its convener Shona Morrison.
Cllr Morrison, said: "Emergency Services Day is our chance to thank those people who have dedicated their lives to working and volunteering in the NHS and emergency services.
"During the Covid pandemic we have seen emergency workers put themselves at increased risk to protect our citizens.
"This is our opportunity to say thank you to those currently serving and to remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty."
Major General Seymour Monro, said: "It is so right to remember all our emergency services on a special day each year.
"They go above and beyond what might normally be expected to help others, often in dangerous situations.
"This year that has been particularly true, both during lockdown when the NHS were hugely in demand, and subsequently when more people have been around including many tourists when our police, fire and rescue services have been extremely stretched.
"We thank them all for what they do every day on our behalf."
Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, Andrew Simpson, said: "Every year the Emergency Services Day gives us the opportunity to show our appreciation to the teams who do so much to keep us all safe.
"This year the pandemic has highlighted the exceptional commitment, and indeed the bravery, of members of all these services.
"We are so grateful to each and every one of them and also those who work alongside them."
Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross also paid tribute to men and women working on the front line.
Mr Ross said: "I’m delighted we all have the opportunity to show our support for the fantastic members of the emergency services here in Moray and across the country.
"We owe a huge amount to our paramedics and NHS workers here in Moray, as well as to our police officers and staff, firefighters, ambulance crews and all those who are called to the front line in all sorts of situations.
"Being married to a local police officer, I know how much they do for communities across Moray and the pressures their jobs present them with every time they go on duty.
"That is why I’m glad that Moray Council has decided to mark the event."
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