National First Responders Day
Proposed in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, this holiday honors and shows appreciation for those who work in emergency services.
Proposed in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, this holiday honors and shows appreciation for those who work in emergency services.
Renee Harleston
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National First Responders Day has been officially celebrated on October 28th since 2019. It honors everyone considered a “first responder” in a crisis. This includes firefighters, paramedics, search and rescue staff, police officers and others.
The day was first proposed in 2016 by the family of Officer Sean Collier. Sean Collier was a police officer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). While on duty in 2013, he was shot and killed by the men later held responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing. Andrew Collier told the Boston Herald in 2016, “One hope I have is that this holiday will bring people together. I’d love to see a town have a get-together where police and firefighters can meet members of the community and everyone gets to know each other and promote community policing. If you know the cops and get pulled over, you don’t feel threatened by them.”
National First Responders Day became a reality in 2019, when a bi-partisan group of Senators passed a resolution designating October 28 as "Honoring the Nation's First Responders Day.”
Prior to being officially declared in 2019, the day was recognized by several individuals and groups. Hooters and NASCAR, in particular, took up the cause, offering free and discounted items to first responders. Sean Collier’s younger brother, Andrew, is a motorsports mechanic, which prompted NASCAR to get involved.
Traditions
As Collier told the Boston Herald in 2016, he sees the day as one to "honor [first responders] and show them the support they really deserve." The day is marked with proclamations from government officials. In 2022, Joe Biden released a Presidential Proclamation on the day, announcing additional funding for first responder-related initiatives.
Businesses frequently offer discounted and free items to first responders on October 28.
What to say
There is no traditional greeting for National First Responders Day. If you know someone who works in some capacity as a first responder, today is a good day to show your appreciation. Let them know how much they, and their work, mean to you.