The Impact Of First Responders: National First Responder Day
Senators Tom Cotton, Elizabeth Warren, and others in The United States Congress named October 28th National First Responders Day in 2017. The day honors the heroic men and women who sacrifice their safety to save lives and keep their communities safe, including police officers, paramedics, first-response medical teams, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), community health workers, 911 dispatchers, firefighters, disaster relief aids, crime scene reporters, and other first responders for the services they provide to communities worldwide.
What is National First Responders Day?
After a six-year push, National First Responders Day has become a federally recognized day dedicated to the professionals who respond to crime scenes, accidents, raging wildfires, climate crisis situations, and other mental and physical health emergencies. The first half of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and beyond showed how first responders are often stretched thin yet frequently risk their own lives to save other lives in their community and work long hours when others couldn't.
Due to the bravery of first responders, the United States White House and President Biden submitted a proclamation on National First Responders Day in October of 2022. The declaration aimed to honor and pay tribute to EMTs, natural disaster relief, paramedics, police officers, nationwide and local firefighters, and other public safety workers for their dedication to their duty and impact during global crises and throughout history.
In his proclamation about his intentions for the day, President Biden said, “Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 28, 2022, as National First Responders Day. I call upon all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to honor our brave first responders and to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.”
How to celebrate this day
To celebrate National First Responders Day, consider the impact these workers have had on your community. If you have ever encountered an emergency worker or social worker, you may have seen the risks they took and the care they provided in keeping you and your loved ones safe.
As an online October effort, you may consider researching statistics on first responders' mental and physical health, and endeavor to understand how these workers save society. You might also send a care package to your local police station, write an encouraging note to your local EMS team, or send relief packages to those working on the frontlines combatting fires or offering disaster relief.
If you are a first responder, you might celebrate the day by treating yourself to self-care, reaching out for mental health support, or writing a thank you letter to yourself to help yourself recognize and remember what you do for your community. Your job asks you to put other lives ahead of your own. It’s what being a police officer, EMT, nurse, 911 dispatcher, or firefighter means – putting your life on the line to fight raging wildfires, diffuse dangerous situations, handle medical crises, and more.
The First Responders Children's Foundation also hosts a yearly event on National First Responders Day to recognize real-life heroes on stage. They award a medal and certificate to notable faces in the following categories of support workers:
Public safety officers
Firefighters
EMTs and paramedics
Nurses
911 dispatchers
9/11 survivors
You can also donate to the organization to support future awards and recognition for workers who have significantly impacted their communities.
The impact of first responders
First responders can have lasting impacts on the mental and physical health of their own communities, country, and communities abroad, such as the following:
Often, first responders may be the first to respond to a mental health crisis, such as a suicide attempt, self-harm wound, or psychological crisis. Those who call 911 due to these crises may first speak to a 911 dispatcher before meeting with police officers, firefighters, and EMS workers who evaluate their symptoms. In the case of a life-threatening mental health emergency, these workers often transport the individual to a hospital, where emergency room staff and nurses work to triage the patient, provide life-saving care, and refer them to mental health services within the community.
Mental health intervention
Additionally, these workers may respond to substance use emergencies, such as overdoses, alcohol poisoning, or other substance-related physical and mental health conditions and symptoms. In 2022, overdose-related emergencies were at a high, indicating the importance of early intervention and emergency services. Paramedics and EMTs may provide the first response to these types of emergencies, such as medication that can reverse overdose symptoms.
If you are struggling with substance use, you can contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources.
Often, a police officer team may be the first to respond to a mental health report of someone in the community. They are trained to provide "wellness checks," where they screen for a potential crisis and contact emergency providers if required to transport an individual to a hospital for further treatment.
All of the first responders who respond to emergencies may work to offer empathetic, focused, and caring support to those who call 911 or request support for a mental health crisis. They may be the first face an individual sees before being referred to further treatment options, so their impact on an individual's opinion of the healthcare system can be significant.
Emergency support
First responders today may also offer emergency support at crime scenes, accidents, emergency rooms, natural disaster sites, and other emergency situations and locations. Often, police officers and firefighters may be the first to arrive at a scene. If it is a crime scene, they may guard the area with crime tape or cones, retrieve any survivors, offer medical support, and assess the risk of the situation.
As emergency support can be dangerous, many first responders risk their lives to provide safety, care, and life-saving medical procedures. In 2022 alone, there were 129 law enforcement officer fatalities. Awareness of the sacrifices and challenges that these types of professionals can face may help individuals support their local first responders through donations, word of mouth, and local discounts and services.
Fire rescue
Firefighters are a type of first responders who may respond to many types of emergencies. Their trucks often carry equipment like the "jaws of life" to save individuals from trapped cars, buildings, or objects. They might also provide scene support before paramedics or police officers arrive.
In the case of a fire, firefighters provide fire rescue to save people, animals, and objects from the potentially devastating impact of fires. For example, firefighters were some of the first to respond to the 2018 wildfire in Paradise, California, deemed the most destructive wildfire in California's history. The International Firefighter's Day every 4th of May is a celebration that honors the firefighters for the services they provide.
Police officers
The police department works alongside 911 dispatch and other professionals to respond to crime scenes. However, unlike firefighters, police officers may work with more criminal scenes as opposed to burning buildings and accidents. When a crisis arises, police often arrive after other first responders to take information and submit a crime report if one has occurred.
Emergency medical technicians
On the National Day of First Responders, it can be beneficial to pay tribute to all types of first responders, including emergency medical technicians (EMTs). First Responders Day pays tribute to EMTs who risk their lives to support people through challenging times and honors fallen EMTs and other first responders.
911 dispatch
Although they may not work on the physical frontlines of an emergency, 911 dispatchers offer support by routing 911 calls and dispatching emergency services to a scene. They may deal with distressing and traumatic subjects daily and are trained to respond in a calm, empathetic, and neutral manner to get the most information possible from a caller. Dispatchers may take the person's name, address, age, history, and circumstances during a call. If they are in an emergency, the dispatcher may stay on the phone line and offer emotional support until first responders arrive.
911 dispatchers may be responsible for de-escalating a situation, reducing further harm, and helping an individual get support quickly. As each call can differ, the job may require patience, extensive training, and the ability to remain calm while hearing an emergency and a caller's testimony.
Domestic violence intervention
Many first responders are called to domestic violence situations. In these cases, they may safeguard an individual from abuse or harm and reduce the likelihood of further violence or altercations. These scenes may be dangerous, as the offender of violence might have a weapon or act aggressively toward first responders. If a medical emergency arises, police, firefighters, and paramedics may work together to retrieve any injured survivors.
Child rescue
First responders might also save children from abusive, unsafe, or emergency situations. For example, children who call 911 due to a crime, a parent's medical emergency, or other trauma might be met by first responders before being transported to further services or support. As they involve children, these cases can be particularly challenging for those who work in the field.
Disaster relief
Many first responders might also respond to disaster relief after a natural disaster, terrorist event, or another nationwide emergency. For example, first responders and Homeland Security teams were the first on-scene at the Boston Marathon Bombing attack in 2013.
Other disasters can include hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, earthquakes, or widespread fires. In these cases, varying departments might collaborate to rescue survivors and recover animals and objects from homes.
Additionally, they may transport individuals to a temporary shelter or the hospital for further care. At the hospital, nurses and triage workers may further treat those impacted medically by a disaster. First responders might also form search and rescue teams or support teams of rescuers to save individuals from disasters, wildlife situations, or other emergencies.
In some cases, first responders might offer food, water, and medical supplies to a community and disaster shelters to further support those impacted.
Resources for first responders
As working in an emergency career can have mental and physical health impacts, there are many resources in place for brave first responders who require support, including the following:
Blue HELP First Help: A web hotline for police officers
Safe Call Now: 1-206-459-3020 for first responders and family
Frontline Helpline: 1-866-676-7500 for frontline workers
Copline: 1-800-267-5463 for law enforcement officers
Reaching out for support can be beneficial for anyone, including first responders. Although you may have worries about mental health stigmas or myths, reaching out for help takes courage and self-awareness, and you're not alone. Nearly 1 in 3 first responders develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to their careers.
Mental health support for first responders
If you require mental health support or want to speak to a mental health provider, many therapists offer support to first responders. It can be brave to reach out for help, and a therapist can help you develop a treatment plan, better understand your symptoms, and evaluate and validate the impacts of your career on your health.
For those who are busy with work or feel unsure about commuting to a mental health provider in person, you can find counseling online. With an online platform, you can use a nickname for safety and choose whether to partake in video, phone, or live chat sessions with a licensed therapist. Additionally, studies on internet-based treatment modalities found that online therapy for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms was highly effective and had low drop-out rates compared to in-person therapy. Additionally, the treatment group showed a significant reduction in mental health symptoms as well as co-morbid depression and anxiety related to the traumatic event(s).
If you're interested in taking advantage of counseling online, consider signing up through a platform like BetterHelp. Even if you are not an emergency worker, BetterHelp and other platforms offer therapists with experience in various mental health and wellness areas.
Takeaway
National First Responders Day brings awareness to the lifesaving acts first responders often provide to their communities. In 2023, celebrate this day by raising awareness for the impacts these professionals have on your community and thanking a first responder in your life. As an emergency services provider, you can celebrate this day by seeking mental health care support or practicing self-care. If you're looking for further advice, consider contacting a counselor for guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.
Why are they called first responders?
First responders are the brave men and women who are the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency, such as an accident, natural disaster, or terrorism. They are called "first" responders because they are the first people to arrive at the scene of an emergency to provide assistance. As a result, they often put their own lives on the line to protect and serve the community.
How do you thank a first responder on 9/11?
On 9/11, we remember the brave men and women who lost their lives while serving as first responders. You can show gratitude and appreciation by participating in memorial events, sending thank-you cards to your local fire department and police stations, or donating to charities that support first responders.
What are the main responsibilities of the first responder?
The main responsibilities of a first responder include quickly and effectively responding to an emergency situation, providing immediate care and support, ensuring the area is safe, and stabilizing victims until further medical help can arrive. They may also assist in evacuating individuals and performing life-saving techniques on the scene.
Why are first responders so important?
First responders are important because they are often the initial protectors of public safety during emergencies. They have the training and expertise to handle crises, provide medical care, and manage the effects of disaster, often preventing further harm or death. Their hard work and dedication make up the backbone of the emergency services system.
How do you become a first responder?
An individual must complete the necessary training and certification required by the specific field that interests them, whether it's as a firefighter, police officer, or EMT. The process often includes courses in emergency medical services, and ongoing training is common. Volunteering with local emergency services can also be a way to get exposure as a first responder.
Why are first responders heroes?
First responders are considered heroes because they routinely put themselves in harm's way to protect and save others. Their job involves a high level of risk and requires selflessness, courage, and dedication to their community. Heroic first responders embody the spirit of service, often going beyond the call of duty to ensure others' safety.
How do you prove you are a first responder?
To prove you are a first responder, you would typically show official identification that corresponds with your role, such as a badge from a fire department or a certification as an EMT. Employers might also provide specific ID cards or uniforms that help identify their status as firefighters, police, or other emergency service personnel.
How do you honor first responders?
Honoring first responders can be done in various ways, such as participating in events on National First Responders Day, contributing to relevant causes, or simply expressing your gratitude directly to them. Communities often hold ceremonies or moments of silence, like those honoring fallen heroes such as Officer Sean Collier, to show deep respect and appreciation.
What is a nice message for first responders?
A heartfelt message for first responders could be: "Your dedication to serving our community, your willingness to put your lives on the line, and your hard work and sacrifices do not go unnoticed. We are deeply grateful for your heroism and commitment to keeping us safe. Thank you for being our local heroes and for all that you do."
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