CENTRE– On National First Responders Day, Oct. 28, all of us at WEIS Radio have a simple message for those who answer the call: Thank you.

Across our listening area in Northeast Alabama and Northwest Georgia, first responders help families through moments they never expected to face. Today, we pause to recognize their service, their sacrifices, and the people behind the uniforms, radios, and headsets.

Around here, taking care of your neighbors means something. Our first responders put that belief into practice every day.

How National First Responders Day Began

The observance grew from efforts to give emergency personnel a national day of appreciation. According to Thank You First Responder, advocates began taking that message to Capitol Hill in 2016.

Among them was Andrew Collier, whose brother, MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, died in the line of duty.

The U.S. Senate supported an October 28 observance in 2017 and again in 2019. Those bipartisan efforts encouraged Americans to recognize the contributions of first responders and honor their sacrifices.

Today, the date offers an opportunity to turn that recognition into a personal thank-you close to home.

Every Part of the Response Matters

Our appreciation includes law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and other emergency medical and rescue personnel. It also includes 911 call takers, dispatchers, and public safety telecommunicators whose voices help guide people through frightening situations.

In addition, we recognize search-and-rescue teams, emergency management personnel, and public works crews who support emergency response and recovery. Air medical crews and specialists in water, wilderness, and technical rescue also help bring lifesaving assistance where it is needed.

Whether you serve full time, part time, or as a volunteer, your contribution matters. Likewise, those working behind the scenes deserve appreciation for helping responders do their jobs safely and effectively.

A Personal Thank You to Our Neighbors

At WEIS, reporting on emergencies is part of serving our listeners. However, behind every report are real people, real families, and responders carrying responsibilities that rarely fit into a headline.

We appreciate the training before the call, the difficult decisions during it, and the work that continues afterward.

We also recognize what this service can ask of a family: interrupted meals, missed celebrations, long shifts, and worry about a loved one’s safety. Meanwhile, responders can carry the emotional weight of difficult calls long after their workday ends.

To their spouses, children, parents, and loved ones, our thanks extend to you as well.

We believe our listening area has some of the best first responders anywhere. We are proud of them, grateful for them, and thankful to call them our neighbors.

Their willingness to serve reflects something deeply American: accepting responsibility for the well-being of others. Here at home, that commitment helps make our communities safer, stronger, and better places to live.

We also remember those who lost their lives in service and the families who continue to carry that loss.

So today, when you have the opportunity, offer a sincere thank-you. Beyond this observance, continue showing patience, respect, and support for the people who answer when help is needed.

From all of us at WEIS Radio, thank you for the work you do, the sacrifices you make, and the neighbors you look after. We truly appreciate you, today and throughout the year.