National First Responders Day 2025: All You Need to Know
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First responders aid our security in immeasurable ways and their impact on our lives cannot be overstated. They rescue people from dangerous situations, provide urgent medical care during emergencies, and maintain law and order amid chaos. As we go about our lives, it is vital to have a special day to recognize the selfless individuals who work to keep us safe, often putting their lives and mental health at risk. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s National First Responders Day?
👉 Official Name: National First Responders Day
💚 Cause: Bringing awareness to the significance of first responders in our society
📅 Next Date: October 28, 2025
🐦 Hashtag: #NationalFirstRespondersDay
Keep on reading to find out all the important information about National First Responders Day at a glance – its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.
The Most Important Information About National First Responders Day at a Glance
1️⃣ The big picture: National First Responders Day pays tribute to the endless hours of around-the-clock service first responders provide to their communities. The event exists to give gratitude and attention to one of America’s most dangerous careers while raising awareness of the high rates of mental and emotional burdens it can bring. This is also an appropriate moment to honor the fallen heroes who died while protecting us.
2️⃣ Why it is important: There are over 25 million first responders in the US alone, with 3 million working in law enforcement, fire services, and emergency medical personnel. Sadly, depression and PTSD are five times more common in first responders than in the general population, with 85% of them reporting symptoms related to mental health conditions. In addition, firefighters and police officers are more likely to die by suicide while on duty – in law enforcement, it is estimated that around 125 to 300 police officers commit suicide every year.
3️⃣ How you can get involved: There are many ways you can get involved in National First Responders Day. For instance, you can show your gratitude by writing personalized “Thank You” cards or baking some cookies for your local first responders. In addition, you can help finance equipment and resources, volunteer for your local emergency services, or take a CPR course to better understand these heroes’ jobs while learning a new skill that can be life-saving. Don’t forget to share your acts on social media using the #NationalFirstRespondersDay hashtag.
Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant for National First Responders Day:
- 9 Best Charities for First Responders
- 9 Best Charities That Support Firefighters
- 9 Best Charities That Support Police Officers
A Brief History of National First Responders Day
When was this event established: National First Responders Day was founded in 2017 by the US Congress to honor the country’s first responders and pay tribute to the ones who lost their lives in the line of duty. The creation of this event was also supported by the advocacy efforts of “Thank You First Responder” founders Matt Jackson, Stanton Smith, and Andrew Collier.
How has it developed since then: In 2022, Joe Biden issued a White House Proclamation naming October 28th as National First Responders Day. Furthermore, this event has increased awareness of the physical and mental traumas that these brave people go through and helped implement new modalities to improve their psychological and physical health.
3 Interesting Facts About National First Responders Day
- High-Stress Job: Compared to the general public, emergency personnel experience way more traumatic situations during a typical work day. They interact closely with people on the worst, most upsetting days of their lives when they go to work. Understanding this can help us develop deep awareness and empathy for that default level of daily stress and shower them with appreciation on this special day.
- Closer Than You Think: Besides the well-known first responder occupations such as firefighters and ambulance personnel, many other work fields can count as first responders – from mountain rescue teams and lifeguards to flight attendants and 911 dispatchers. Use this day to express gratitude to people you know who work these jobs by inviting them to chat or treating them to a meal.
- Serving Current and Future Heroes: During this celebration, many organizations that you can support organize fundraising events to provide resources, financial aid, and mental health assistance to first responders. With awareness and direct help, they can live healthier lives and pass their knowledge and skills to the next generation of first responders.
Upcoming Dates of National First Responders Day
National First Responders Day is observed every year on October 28.
| Year | Date | Day(s) |
| 2024 | October 28 | Monday |
| 2025 | October 28 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | October 28 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | October 28 | Thursday |
Never Miss an Awareness Event Again
Sources
- Common Ground Helps: First Responders Suffering in Silence
- Agents of Change: Mental Health Impacts Among First Responders
- Daws Law Firm: First Responder Jobs Are Among The Most Dangerous
- GoFundMe: Donate to first responders
- Thank You First Responder: Home Page
- Relief Mental Health: First Responders and Mental Health: How We Can Support our Firefighters, Police Officers, and Emergency Medical Personnel
- Psychiatric Times: First Responders and Mental Health – When Heroes Need Rescuing
- Fund the First: home page
- American Red Cross Training Services: CPR training
- Impactful Ninja: 9 Best Charities for First Responders
- Impactful Ninja: 9 Best Charities That Support Firefighters
- Impactful Ninja: 9 Best Charities That Support Police Officers
- Elizabeth Warren Senate: Warren, Cotton Resolution to Designate Official “Honoring the Nation’s First Responders Day” Passes Senate
- Thank You First Responder: National First Responders Day Program
- Rehab: 60 first responders mental health resources
- First Responder Center: Health & Wellness – Fitness
- Mountain Rescue Association: home page
- YouTube: Lifeguards are first responders
- OSHU: Flight Attendants on the Front Line
- Government Technology: Senate Bill Provides New Hope for 911 Professionals
