Welcome to Thank You First Responder #ThankYouFirstResponder

Welcome to Thank You First Responder

A grassroots effort to raise awareness, support, honor, celebrate and say Thank You to First Responders.

#ThankYouFirstResponder

First Responders Put Their Lives on the Line for US

Please Take a Moment to Share Your Appreciation

First Responders Make the Ultimate Sacrifice

On 9/11, more than 400 first responders lost their lives, including 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 15 EMTs. Learn more about the creation of the National First Responders Day.

View the Proclamation

When You Need Help, First Responders are There for You

Learn the Words to the First Responder Anthem “Thank You First Responder”

Download the Sheet Music

First Responders Touch Our Lives

Join Us in Honoring & Celebrating the Lives of First Responders by Sharing Your Experiences

Updates

[Press Release] Thank You First Responder Announces 2024 National First Responders Day Celebration at Panthers Baptist Health IcePlex

Learn more about the 2024 National First Responders Day Event at the Panthers Baptist Health IcePlex where Thank You First Responder will present the “Culture of Thank You” Award to WhiteFlag App CEO Jonny McCoy.

[Press Release] Thank You First Responder Gathers Fort Lauderdale Community for Celebration of Life Event at Riverwalk 911 Monument

Thank You First Responder (TYFRO), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and supporting First Responders, invites the Fort Lauderdale community to join in a momentous occasion of the 9/11 Memorial Celebration of Life Event, on Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. The event will take place at the Riverwalk 911 Monument, serving as a heartfelt commemoration of the heroes and lives affected by the September 11 attacks.

[Press Release] National Nonprofit Thank You First Responder Honors Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco with Meritorious Service Award

Learn more about the 2024 National First Responders Day Event at the Palm Springs Air Museum where Thank You First Responder will present the Meritorious Service Award to Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Riverwalk 911 Memorial ~ Celebration of Life Event

Learn about the Riverwalk 911 Memorial ~ Celebration of Life Event on September 11, 2024 from 6:30-8pm to honor our First Responders.
~ A Reflection on Remembrance and Resilience in Ft. Lauderdale

[Press Release] Thank You First Responder and WhiteFlag App Join Forces to Strengthen Mental Health Support for First Responders

Thank You First Responder (TYFRO) announces a groundbreaking partnership with WhiteFlag App aimed at bolstering mental health support for First Responders nationwide.

Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month in Support of First Responders

Thank You First Responder (TYFRO) highlights importance of celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month and our committed to raising awareness and finding resources in support of the mental health challenges faced by First Responders and their families.

National First Responders Day Inaugural Celebration 2023: Looking Back to Look Ahead

Thank You First Responder (TYFRO) held its National First Responders Day Inaugural Celebration on October 28, 2023 in Boca Raton, Florida. We look back on our Inaugural celebration and look ahead, using the spirit of this special day to inspire future generations.

[Press Release] Thank You First Responder Launches Annual Celebration of National First Responders Day and Local Heroes Program

Thank You First Responder (TYFRO), proudly announces its annual celebration in honor of National First Responders Day on October 28th and details about the upcoming Local Heroes Program launching 2024.

[Press Release] Thank You First Responder to Honor FL State Representative Chip LaMarca with the Doug Stepelton “Culture of Thank You” Award

Thank You First Responder (TYFRO) is proud to announce that Florida State Rep Chip LaMarca as recipient of the 2023 Doug Stepelton “Culture of Thank You” Award during the National First Responders Day celebration on October 28 in Boca Raton, FL.

[Press Release] Thank You First Responder to Honor Chrissie Meacham & Lynn Offerdahl with the Doug Stepelton “Culture of Thank You” Award

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2021 Contact: Stan Smith at Smarter Story PR (954)762-7000 | Media@SmarterStory.com @SmarterStory       Thank You First Responder to Honor Chrissie Meacham & Lynn Offerdahl with the Doug Stepelton “Culture of...

What is this About?

Thank You First Responder is a grassroots effort and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to raise awareness, support, celebrate, honor and most importantly say Thank You to our Nation’s First Responders for the difficult job they do every day by putting their lives on the line to protect and enhance our country and way of life.

We partner with individuals, communities, businesses and organizations to support our programs that include the creation of a National First Responder Day of Appreciation as the ultimate expression of thanks and gratitude for our local heroes and empowering First Responders in local communities by providing Mental Health First Aid instructional programs. Show your appreciation for all First Responders by supporting our programs below.

Did You Know There Are Over

First Responders in the U.S.

Organization Background

The creation of the organization began in early 2014 when Doug Stepelton of the Stacy Foundation was in dialogue with Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC 11) about the need to Honor First Responders and the idea for an anthem song was born. Singer – songwriter Matt Jackson was approached and agreed to write the song and ultimately traveled to Los Angeles to work in the recording studio with Producer and Engineer Darrell Thorp, a multi-Grammy award winner who has worked with a wide range of artists, from Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Jay-Z, Elton John and Switchfoot to Joni Mitchell, Dwight Yokum and Radiohead among others.

The resulting song, “Thank You First Responder” is a touching anthem instilling emotion and a true sentiment of appreciation for First Responders who demonstrate daily bravery by providing safety for us all. The founders of the organization, Matt Jackson, Ron Polito and Stanton Smith are honored to work with communities across the nation to share the importance of creating a culture of Thank You for America’s Heroes.

Listen to the Anthem “Thank You First Responder”

A touching anthem instilling emotion and a true sentiment of appreciation for First Responders and their daily bravery providing safety for us all.
Listen to the Anthem by playing the Spotify stream.

Watch “A Day in the Life…” Official Music Video for the Anthem – Thank You First Responder

Official Music Video for Thank You First Responder Organization entitled “A Day in the Life…” The music video shares “A Day in the Life” of five different First Responders and communicates the often neglected reality that First Responders are much more than the job responsibilities they perform. Created to promote a “Culture of Thank You” and teach the importance of appreciating ALL First Responders.

Share the Song!

Purchase the Anthem*

*A portion of the proceeds will go towards helping the families of fallen First Responders.

Available on iTunes Purchase Button #ThankYouFirstResponder
Get It On Google Play Purchase Button #ThankYouFirstResponder
Available on Amazon MP3 Purchase Button #ThankYouFirstResponder

Want to Do More for First Responders?

Why Participate?

To honor Law Enforcement, Firefighters, EMTs, Emergency Management and Search & Rescue as well as ALL those who have or continue to dedicate and sacrifice to protect and keep us safe.

Here is one example of a First Responder who sacrificed his life in the line of duty.

MIT Officer Sean Collier Ambushed by Boston Marathon Bombers

Andrew Collier of Charlotte, North Carolina who works at Hendrick MotorSports created a petition to support the creation of a National Holiday for First Responders after his brother, Sean Collier — the MIT officer who was gunned down by the Boston Marathon bombers on April 18, 2013 – tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Andrew is trying to be sure the sacrifice of First Responders – whether they be police officers, firefighters, or paramedics – will never be forgotten.

We are working with Andrew to unify our mutual efforts to educate the public about the importance of establishing a First Responders’ National Holiday.

Celebrate National First Responders Day

Show your support and appreciation for First Responders by joining with us to celebrate National First Responders Day annually on October 28th.

Join Us!

Share Your Stories

Please share your stories, photos and videos from interactions and memories of firefighters, EMT’s or law enforcement, trained in urgent medical care and other emergency dispatchers, disaster agencies and even volunteers.  First responders are the people who show up in the face of danger and natural disaster because they are committed to serving others.

Share NOW!

Get Involved!

This initiative requires a full spectrum of participation with all demographics, but especially those who have been helped either directly or indirectly by First Responders. People from all walks of life are critical to the success of this effort. Help us thank First Responders for the difficult job they do every day by putting their lives on the line to protect and enhance our country and way of life.

Thank a First Responder

Join us in saying Thank You to First Responders.

Listen + Watch + Share the Anthem

Inspire others to do the same!

View the Petition

Help to educate about the creation of a National Day of Recognition for First Responders.

Share Your Stories

Share your First Responder Stories with us to encourage others to support the initiative.

Spread the Word

Use the social media sharing buttons to share this website with family and friends. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ThankYouFirstResponder when you share or post on social media!

 Join Us in Saying Thank You To First Responders

Just add the hashtag #ThankYouFirstResponder to your  Instagram Media Activities and we’ll display them below!

We owe a debt of gratitude to our brave first responders who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to help others. This initiative is a wonderful way to honor them. #ThankYouFirstResponder

Mark Meadows

Congressman (R-NC 11), United States House of Representatives

It is important to remember all the good our nation’s first responders do every day and support them in every way possible. They truly are the line between a civilized society and chaos.

Andrew Collier

Machinist, Hendrick MotorSports

First Responders are not just the ones to pull you out of a burning building, rescue you from a violent car crash or get you to the hospital within the moments between life and death. They are also the ones who pick up your father who has been living in a hospital bed in the living room for a year and often falls from the bed while he’s being cleaned and changed. Not only do they help, sometimes several times a week, they accomplish the action with a smile on their face as they honor a man who used to be strong but has somehow found himself in that position. They perform their job with integrity and respect and I’m forever grateful to the First Responders who graced the doors of my fathers’ home.

Matt Jackson

Singer/Songwriter

What Happens Next?

We’re always working to create more ways to say Thank You to First Responders. If you have an idea, share it with us so we can further the cause!

Share With Us

    Required Fields *

    What Would You Like to Share with Us? [Check All That Apply] *

    My First Responder StoryAn Idea to HelpMy Time to VolunteerA Question or Request

    If You are Sharing a First Responder Story,

    please select a First Responder Type

    How Did You Find Us? *

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Media Inquiries

    Media@ThankYouFirstResponder.org
    Bank of America City Centre
    401 E. Las Olas Blvd
    Suite 130-516
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
    (954)762-7000

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Shares
    Share This

    Help Us Say Thank You to First Responders!

    Please share this with all your friends & family. Remember to use the hashtag #ThankYouFirstResponder to help us spread the word.

    Shares
    Donate