Celebrating real-life heroes who help keep our community safe

A popular event celebrating the real-life heroes who help keep our community safe will be returning to the Market Square later this month.

Our annual Emergency Services Day will be held on Saturday 31 May when we will be honouring the many people who serve the community as police officers, firefighters, ambulance crew, search and rescue volunteers and others.

Organised by the council’s community safety team, the event welcomes a host of emergency services vehicles and staff including Durham Constabulary, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS), North East Ambulance Service, Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue, Great North Air Ambulance, Northumbria Blood Bikes and British Red Cross.

Our civic enforcement officers and other members of the community safety team, including our CCTV staff, and representatives from the Office of the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner will also be on hand to meet people and talk about their work.

There will be a range of emergency service vehicles on display – subject to operational commitments – including a rescue boat from CDDFRS with firefighters demonstrating some water rescue techniques and offering water safety advice.

Younger visitors can also enjoy free face painting.

Cllr Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “Our community safety team works closely with the emergency services and other organisations to help ensure Darlington is a safe place for all to enjoy.

“Our Emergency Services Day has become a popular addition to our annual events. It’s a great opportunity for us to say thank you to all our local heroes who work so hard for our communities, and we’d love to see as many people as possible join us for this special celebration.”

Darlington Fire Station manager Billy McAloon said: “Emergency Services Day recognises the hard work and dedication of all our amazing emergency services who protect our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

“We are delighted to be part of the event in Darlington once again and our firefighters will be there with our water rescue boat to demonstrate water rescue techniques and offer safety advice.

“We hope to see you there!”

The Emergency Services Day will be held on Saturday 31 May in the Market Square, 10am-3pm. We look forward to welcoming you for a day filled with free family fun!