![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
Today marks National 999 Day, a day of celebration and remembrance dedicated to the heroic efforts of our emergency services and the launch of a new project from the National Emergency Services Museum celebrating the inspiring individuals behind the uniform.
The Sheffield based museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of our emergency services. This innovative online exhibition and research project invites the public to contribute personal stories from those who served or whose family or friends were in the emergency services in years gone by.
The National Emergency Services Museum has long focused on telling the personal stories of those who serve. With the launch of !nspire 999, the museum is expanding this mission nationally.
The project already features over 50 powerful stories, with many more to add and expand it even further.
Among the stories shared is that of Doug Lightning, one of the last surviving city firemen who served during the 1940 Sheffield Blitz. Doug’s story was captured as part of the Sheffield Blitz project, and in his own words, before passing in 2003 at 99, he offered a vivid account of those harrowing nights.
Another notable figure featured is that of Elsie Inglis, a pioneering Scottish doctor, surgeon, teacher, suffragist, and founder of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals. She was the first woman awarded the Serbian Order of the White Eagle.
The National Emergency Services Museum is a self-funded charity housed in a historic Victorian combined Police, Fire, and Ambulance station in Sheffield.
The industry will once again be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Services Show, co located with The Emergency Tech Show on 18-19 September, check out the full exhibitor list here. You can find The National Emergency Services Museum in Hall 5, on stand U213.