Staff from across East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 6 May 2026 – recognising their contribution to patients and communities across the region.
Jim Richardson, Assistant Director of Operations for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR), represented EMAS at the event alongside colleagues from across the organisation.
Royal Garden Parties are held each year at Buckingham Palace and in Scotland, celebrating people who have made a positive difference through public and community service.
Reflecting on the invitation, Jim said:
“It makes you feel proud to be selected to represent our organisation. I’ve spent 32 years in the ambulance service, including the last eight at EMAS, and this feels like recognition not just for me, but for the wider work we do.”
Jim’s role focuses on ensuring the ambulance service is prepared to respond effectively to major incidents and periods of increased pressure – work that is often unseen but essential to maintaining safe, reliable care.
He said: “A lot of what we do in emergency preparedness is behind the scenes. Our focus is making sure the service is equipped, trained and ready so that, in a crisis, things run as smoothly as possible.
“If we’ve done our job well, people don’t see it – they just see the service continuing to deliver care and keep patients and staff safe.”
Colleagues from across EMAS also attended the event, reflecting the wide range of roles that contribute to the delivery of ambulance services.
Jim added: “The work we do around resilience and response is all about supporting communities before, during, and after major incidents.”
He attended the event with his wife, who has also worked in public service for many years.
“We’ve always approached things as a team, and she spent 28 years as a police officer, so it was really special to share that recognition together.”
Garden Parties are an important way for members of the Royal Family to meet a broad range of people from all walks of life, recognising those who have made a positive impact in their communities.
Congratulations to Jim and all colleagues who attended the event and thank you to all our ambulance staff and support teams for everything you do every day to keep communities safe.