First Responder Appreciation Day is right around the corner. We have ideas for Police, EMT and Firefighter Gifts to show first responders our appreciation for their service.
The History of First Responder Appreciation Day
In 2007, following the devastation of several tragedies and weather events throughout the US, the US Congress designated September 25 as National First Responder Appreciation Day. This declaration provides Americans the opportunity to honor first responders for their contributions, sacrifices and dedication to public service.
10 Ways to Celebrate First Responder Appreciation Day
There are many days throughout the year to celebrate the specific branches of first responders. There are more gifts ideas and history about each appreciation day below, but here are 10 ways to celebrate First Responder Appreciation Day or to thank these community helpers throughout the year.
1. Write a letter
Send a letter to the newspaper editor or to individual departments to thank our first responders for their dedication to the community.
2. Baked Goods
Put together a plate of cookies or doughnuts and take them to your local first responder stations. Include a thank you card to be displayed by the treat.
3. Pay for their Meal
If you see a police officer, EMT, or firefighter while you’re out for lunch pay for their order. You’re sure to make their day!
5. Donate
There are many organizations that assist injured first responders or go toward memorial services for police officers and other first responders.
6. Volunteer
Offer your services around the offices, especially in small towns without much of a budget. You could offer to plant flowers, do some housekeeping, organize office supplies or fulfill other needs in honor of First Responder Appreciation Week.
7. Coordinate a potluck lunch
You could do one big lunch for all the first responder departments or host several small lunches for the separate locations, depending on the size of your town. Coordinate with the city, co-workers or friends and family to make a meal and serve lunch to the community helpers. This is not only a great way to thank them, but it’s a valuable opportunity to volunteer with your team, too!
8. Class projects
As a class project, you could have your students draw pictures, or write a thank you note to their favorite first responders. You could also host a lunch and invite the first responders to eat lunch in the class.
9. Gift Baskets
Load up a gift basket with pens, hand warmers, hand sanitizers, coffee gift cards, beef jerky and snack bars. These items are fairly inexpensive, but could be ‘life-savers’ any day!
10. Stay Safe
First responders, such as law enforcement, have such a bad reputation these days, which is truly unfortunate given the hundreds to thousands of times they’ve put their lives on the line to keep us safe and no one notices. Truly, the one thing they want is to keep us safe, staying out of trouble would be the best gift of all. In addition, if you’re a property owner and your house’s or current space’s fire alarm system and/or water-based fire protection system such as a sprinkler system is inoperational, you are required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Florida Statute to implement a fire watch should that system become impaired. You may seek expert help from professional Fire Watch Services in Lakeland Highlands.
First Responder Appreciation Quotes
– Dwayne Johnson
-Fred Rogers
Firefighter, EMT and Police Appreciation Gifts
Firefighter Appreciation Day
May 4 marks the annual International Firefighters Day, which was first observed in 1999 after five firefighters died while trying to contain a wildfire in Victoria, Australia. It includes an international “Sound Off” on the first Sunday in May when, at noon local time each year, fire sirens will sound for 30 seconds worldwide followed by a minute of silence in memory of those who have died in the line of duty.
Firefighter Gifts
Rescue Knife
This knife is specifically designed to help in rescue situations. It has a hook cutter that is designed to be able to cut through seat belts and clothing so they can get people out of their cars.
Upcycled Firehouse Billfold
This billfold is an upcycled fire hose, so it’s going to be extra durable and perfect firefighter gifts. All products bought from that site are made with firehouse. They have recycled and repurposed over 15,000 feet of decommissioned fire hose from around the U.S.! Not only does it reduce waste, but also supports a fellow firefighter.
Fire Rescue Logo Cuff Links
These cufflinks are perfect for any special occasion. It’s a special touch to help show off their affiliation as a firefighter in a subtle way.
Firefighter Spatula
Does your firefighter love to cook? This is one of the perfect firefighter gifts. This fun fire and rescue Sportula features a high quality design and even a laser cut fire department Maltese cross.
Firefighter Bottle Opener and Cap Catcher
Handcrafted by a veteran, this firefighter themed bottle opener perfect for a list of firefighter gifts. Made of solid pine and cast iron bottle opener, it’s sure to be as strong as your favorite firefighter.
Police Appreciation Week
President John F. Kennedy designated May 15, the formal memorial day for Police Appreciation, but Police Week is the calendar week on which the memorial day falls. This week pays tribute to the local, state, and federal peace officers who have died, or have been disabled, in the line of duty.
Gifts for Police Officers
Patrol Car Seat Organizer
A police officer’s patrol car is his office. And just like any office, it can get messy if it’s not properly organized. This car organizer has access to the stuff he needs to do his job: traffic citations, arrest affidavits, policy manuals, flashlights, extra cuffs, and ammunition magazines, so it’s easy to find and grab.
Cool Cop Vest Cooling System
Body armor gets hot fast. The Cool Cop Body Armor Air Conditioning system provides fast relief with a hose contraption that channels cool air from the patrol car’s AC and sends it under the officer’s vest while he’s sitting in his car. There are also undershirts and a Cool K-9 for their partner’s paws.
Heavy Duty Phone Case
Police men have a fast pace, action packed makes it easy for phones to be dropped or broken. Good cases can make sure they’re not out of communication or replacing their phone every other day.
Custom Cuff Links
The unique silhouette of a badge makes the perfect palette for engraving. These engraved police badge cufflinks make the perfect gift for law enforcement officers everywhere.
Dart Game
This wood dart cabinet comes with official licensing for true enthusiasts and is perfect for any Police Department.
It comes with all the components necessary for a great game session with friends. These include a self-healing board in sisal fiber, six darts with steel tips, a score board (dry erase), marker, out chart and mounting equipment.
National EMS Week
In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. Originally, it took place in November, but now it is the third week in May.
EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine’s “front line.”
EMT Gifts
Heavy Duty Titanium Stethoscope
This stethoscope is stronger and lighter, providing durability and high performance for a high-impact job. Its acoustic tubing provides insulation and high-quality sound transmission and comes in a Variety of finishes!
Leatherman Raptor Shears
Leatherman Raptor Shears are the gold standard for EMS multi-tools because they are more than a pair of medical shears and work every time! They have 6 tools in 1 including: Stainless Steel Folding Medical Shears, A Ruler, Carbide Glass Breaker, A Ring Cutter, Oxygen Tank Wrench, and Seatbelt Cutter.
Multitool Bracelet
Tools such as Allen wrenches, screwdrivers and box wrenches are designed into each of the 17-4 stainless steel bracelet links. The bracelet is adjustable to accommodate any wrist size and every link is customizable.
EMS All-Weather Pocket Notebook
Looking for EMT gifts for the first responder for rain or shine? Your first responder won’t have to watch their patient care reports melt away in the rain anymore.
This waterproof EMS notebook allows them to assess the patient without worrying that their report will wash away in the rain. They can withstand water, mud and grease.
These EMS notebooks can withstand water, mud and grease.
EMT Folding Clipboard
This full size clipboard is a medical reference, storage for 15 – 30 papers, but the best part is it can fold in half and fit into scrub or cargo pockets. The EMT Folding Clipboard comes in blue and black and is a good field guide containing information like the rule of nines, 12 lead EKG interpretation, medical acronyms and more.
In Conclusion
It’s so important to spend just a moment to appreciate our first responders, who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. Comment with your favorite gift idea for first responders! Don’t forget to appreciate our nurses and say thank you to our teachers!
Don’t forget to pin these gift ideas for later!
