National First Responders Day observed
The gist
Cities and companies observed National First Responders Day on October 28, honoring firefighters, police, EMTs and paramedics.
The day also credits public works crews, whose first-responder status took years to formalize.
How it unfolded
- 2003President George W. Bush issued Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8), officially recognizing public works as first responders.
- 2010Mississippi, under House Bill 664, recognized public works professionals as first responders.
- 2017The American Public Works Association board approved a national "Public Works First Responder" symbol for use across North America.