Who is Considered a First Responder?

First responders have been an integral part of our communities ever since humans began to form civilizations.

They are the ones we turn to in moments of crisis, whether it be a fire burning down a home, or a crime being perpetrated against us or someone close by. Understandably, many people think of police officers and firefighters when they consider who first responders are; however, as times change and new needs arise within our communities, so do the types of professionals considered “first responders” evolve.

With future advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) expanding and technology advancing at an exponential rate – what roles might first responders encompass going forward?

To answer this question means taking a broader look at the working populations who responded to critical incidents, environmental disasters, and loss throughout society.

What IS a first responder?

We often use the term ‘first responder’ to refer to the professionals who handle domestic crisis. Almost universally, we acknowledge police officers, firefighters, and paramedics in this category. With the almost unrelenting media coverage of trauma and tragedy and the human impact left in the wake of violence and loss, we are developing a more complete picture of the responder community. In order to improve comradery and efficiency in helping both trauma victims and survivors, we recognize this conversation needs to expand to include all responders.

From first responders, the 911 dispatcher receiving the emergency call or the officer first on the scene, to last responders, the court system supporting the victim reviewing the aftermath and next actions, all responders are affected by trauma.

As traumatic events increase across the globe, we realize the vital importance of recognizing all responders and taking compassionate measures to improve comradery among them. From the 911 dispatcher receiving the first call to the police officer arriving on-scene first, to the EMTs and paramedics providing immediate care, through to our court system that ultimately supports victims as they review aftermath and next actions–all these roles are essential for a successful response. We acknowledge that it takes an entire network of professionals with unique skill sets to work together harmoniously in order to bring healing and justice in times of trauma and tragedy.

Who could be considered first responders today?

• Police Officers

• Firefighters

• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) & Paramedics

• Doctors, Nurses, & Hospital Staff

• 911 dispatchers

• HAZMAT Teams, Public Works Personnel, and Volunteers

• Mental health professionals

• Police Officers

POLICE OFFICERS

Policing is more than just law enforcement. Policing in the 21st century can receive a bad rap, with the ‘defund the police’ movement increasing the public perception of

Police officers are the first responders to many emergency situations. They are trained to deal with a variety of situations, including fires, medical emergencies, and violent crimes. Police officers typically arrive on the scene of an emergency within minutes and are able to provide assistance until other first responders arrive

Firefighters

This might be the first population of responders that comes to mind when you consider first responder work in 2023.

Firefighters are another type of first responder who is trained to deal with a variety of emergencies, including fires, medical emergencies, and hazardous materials incidents. Firefighters typically arrive on the scene of an emergency within minutes and are able to provide assistance until other first responders arrive.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) & Paramedics

Similar to firefighters, the medical professionals who responders who go to the incident scene are easily identified as a responder population. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics are trained to provide basic and advanced medical care to patients who are experiencing a medical emergency respectively. They are responsible for assessing patients’ condition and stabilizing them until they can be transported to a hospital. In some cases, EMTs may also provide lifesaving treatment to patients before they arrive at the hospital.

Doctors, Nurses, & Hospital Staff

Hospital staff members play a vital role in the care of patients who have been involved in an emergency situation. Especially since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, Doctors and nurses are receiving more acknowledgment for their role as responders.

Emergency room doctors and nurses must be able to quickly assess a patient’s condition and provide treatment accordingly. Hospital staff members also play a key role in coordinating with other first responders, such as police officers and firefighters, to ensure that all patients receive the care they need.

Awareness is just now building about the mental load these healthcare workers embrace as they work in the face of new life, intense pain, great relief, and immense sorrow in the course of their routine work.

911 dispatchers

911 dispatchers play a vital role in the emergency response system. They are responsible for receiving 911 calls and determining the nature of the emergency. They then dispatch the appropriate first responders to the scene of the emergency. 911 dispatchers must be able to remain calm in high-pressure situations and have a thorough knowledge of the area in which they work.

These critical responders embrace the responsibility of stabilizing the caller, accurately identifying the situation, and securing a timely response team to address the emergency. They pick up each 911 call willing to take in as many details as the caller can provide, no matter how distressing, knowing they might never know the outcome of the emergency.

Military Personnel

Military personnel are often the first responders to natural disasters and other emergencies. They are trained to provide aid and assistance in a variety of situations and can often provide much-needed support during difficult times. Both Act

Mental health professionals

Mental health professionals, such as psychologists, counselors, and social workers, can provide invaluable assistance to people who have been involved in an emergency situation. Many people who experience trauma require professional help in order to cope with their experiences. Mental health professionals can provide counseling and support that can help people recover from traumatic events

HAZMAT Teams, Public Works Personnel, and Volunteers

An often overlooked cohort of emergency responders, volunteers play an important role in responding to emergencies. Frequently, individuals responding to critical incidents in these roles have specialized skills or knowledge that can be helpful and are necessary to restore public order and safety after critical incidents.

Volunteers also tend to be invaluable in securing supplies, community support, and clean-up options after crisis. HAZMAT teams respond to incidents involving hazardous chemicals, biological agents, and other dangerous substances and public works personnel are responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure to keep or restore function to essential transportation and utilities during emergencies.

It is important for individuals volunteering or working in these capacities to understand the mental impact witness trauma and its aftermath can bring and how to seek support if needed.

Shared Mental Health concerns among Emergency Responders

The mental health crisis among first responders has been building for some years, and by 2023 the situation is expected to be extremely pressing. PTSD is increasingly common among those that have witnessed or been involved in unhappy and traumatic scenes, while a long-held stigma surrounding the topic of mental health has left many with limited access to timely and appropriate care. With little time away from their work duties and further complicating matters, this culture of not seeking help due to fear of seeming weak or vulnerable needs urgent attention.

Not only can the stresses of their job take an emotional toll on them, particularly with the public perception of their role. They may experience feelings of isolation and disconnection due to their long hours spent away from family and friends or the fear of being unable to meet the expectations of the community they serve. Furthermore, they must deal with the added risk associated with their response duties and be prepared for any unexpected events or scenarios that may arise, adding an increased level of anxiety and pressure to perform.

Although many organizations have implemented measures to help protect against mental health issues, dedicated support is still required to ensure that first responders can remain resilient in 2023. The VCRW

As we work with our community to identify s every effort must be taken to ensure first responders have access to as much support as they need, whenever they need it, when it comes to their mental health.

Next Steps

Trauma affects everyone in its path, both directly and indirectly. It informs our understanding of the wider context of violence and loss and needs to be addressed from all angles. In order to move forward as a society and provide proper aid, services, justice, and healing for trauma victims, we all have to become part of the solution.

As we continue to redefine what it means to be a first responder, we must remember that there are many more people on either end of the emergency call – from those providing initial response tools upon arrival to last responders providing long-term support, each is key to helping heal a broken world.

It is up to us now to rise up together as one community of first responders in support of all living with trauma in its wake.