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first responder

noun
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Definition of first responder

: a person (such as a police officer or an EMT) who is among those responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance

Examples of first responder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This included ambulance drivers, county health board members and other employees connected to the first responder role in some way. — Laura Bednar, cleveland, "Independence Fire Station hosts COVID-19 vaccinations for Cuyahoga County first responders," 3 Jan. 2021 Next week, Sudders said, more information will be available on first responder vaccinations. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Baker urges people not to host New Year’s Eve gatherings," 30 Dec. 2020 After complaints by residents were lodged with the U.S Treasury, the city met with federal officials who suggested the city route CARES Act money through first responder payroll, and then purchase the buildings with offset general fund dollars. — Aubrey Wieber, Anchorage Daily News, "Municipality of Anchorage finalizes controversial purchase of Midtown hotel for use as drug and alcohol treatment center," 15 Dec. 2020 The toll of that disaster is haunting for many, including Bingham, who was little more than a toddler at the time — but whose uncle was a first responder. — Los Angeles Times, "‘These mountains could turn into jelly.’ Above Santa Cruz, residents fear devastating mudslides," 8 Dec. 2020 His daughter said Williams worked on the front lines as a first responder and had hoped for peace in the city’s epidemic of gun violence. — Rosemary Sobol, chicagotribune.com, "‘He put his whole heart into the city.’ Family remembers retired Chicago firefighter killed in attack by three armed carjackers," 4 Dec. 2020 Last month, Garland ISD announced that Atmos Energy had donated $25,000 to the district, which will fund annual $1,000 scholarships for Garland students pursuing a career in education, health care or as a first responder. — Patrick Strickland, Dallas News, "Garland students receive $10K to pursue sanitation project to aid firefighters," 16 Nov. 2020 And thank you to every first responder during this time. — Staff Star Tribune, Star Tribune, "Read "thank yous" to Minnesota's first responder heroes, written by you.," 25 Sep. 2020 Hardesty spearheaded the first responder alternative that the City Council first approved last November. — oregonlive, "Portland police budget again takes center stage as 2 commissioners seek another $18 million cut, mayor wants none," 28 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'first responder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of first responder

1970, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for first responder

Time Traveler

The first known use of first responder was in 1970

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Statistics for first responder

Last Updated

8 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“First responder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20responder. Accessed 18 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for first responder

first responder

noun
first re·​spond·​er | \ -ri-ˈspän-dər \

Kids Definition of first responder

: a person (as a police officer or an EMT) who is responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide help

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