National First Responders Day is recognized on Wednesday, October 28 honoring police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and 911 dispatchers who protect communities.

There are many smaller non-transporting EMS agencies that provide an important first link in the emergency medical system. Their EMTs and responders may be among the first people through the door. They begin patient assessment, provide lifesaving treatment, perform CPR, control bleeding, and prepare patients for the arrival of transporting EMS.

They work alongside caring crews at all hours of the day and night, often serving their own communities with limited staffing and resources and without receiving much public recognition.

We want the spotlight to be on them. To our neighboring first responder agencies and the men and women who answer those calls: thank you for being there when your communities need you.