National First Responders Day Falls on October 28: Times Square to Host Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony
October 28 is National First Responders Day, the annual observance honoring the firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics and dispatchers who are first on the scene in an emergency. Congress designated October 28 as the national day of recognition through resolutions passed in recent years; unlike observances devoted to a single profession, the day covers all first responders collectively.
This year's national ceremony, the Roll Call of Heroes, will be hosted by the First Responders Children's Foundation and presented by T-Mobile in New York's Times Square on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The foundation, the only national nonprofit dedicated to serving the children and families of first responders, marks its 25th anniversary this year, and for the first time it opened nominations to the public earlier this year; nominations closed on July 31, and the selected honorees will be recognized at the ceremony for the extraordinary impact in their communities over the past twelve months.
"As First Responders Children's Foundation marks our 25th anniversary, and as our nation prepares to honor both the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and America's 250th birthday, this is a moment for all Americans to recognize the heroes who serve their communities every day," said foundation president and CEO Jillian Crane.
Beyond the Times Square ceremony, communities, schools and public agencies across the United States hold tributes around the day each year to thank local fire, police and emergency medical personnel.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：急救人员在 Florida 州 Mayport 海军医疗诊所的大规模伤亡演练中转运模拟伤员（演练资料图）。美国海军照片，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。Photo: paramedics move a simulated casualty during a mass casualty drill at Naval Branch Health Clinic Mayport, Florida (file photo). U.S. Navy photo, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
