first responder

noun

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

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

Recent Examples of first responder from the Web

Charles died while serving to keep his community safe, and his loss is a painful reminder of the dangers faced and sacrifices made by our first responders every single day.

— bill glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "City leaders announce arrest following crash that killed Milwaukee police officer," 8 June 2018
This particular form of naloxone is most often used in hospitals and by first responders.

— korin miller, SELF, "Naloxone, the Drug That Can Reverse Opioid Overdoses, Has Been Recalled," 5 June 2018
There are various explanations for why police have ended up as first responders for mental health crises.

— alisa roth, Vox, "A worried mom wanted the police to take her mentally ill son to the hospital. They shot him.," 30 May 2018
Engaging with our first responders at the city and county level is an ongoing, crucial conversation.

— meredith colias-pete, Post-Tribune, "Portage chief's plan to increase school resource officers comes with questions," 29 May 2018
But there were also accounts of frustration at some who got in the way of first responders.

— david montero, latimes.com, "'Why am I going to die today?': The words of first responders to deadly Las Vegas shooting," 25 May 2018
There are players, coaches, parents and a group of first responders from the nearby municipality of Humacao, who worked in Juncos during the storm, braving chest-high waters and living at the department for weeks.

— jenny vrentas, SI.com, "Five Giants, and Those Forgotten After the Storm," 23 May 2018
Paul's motivation for promoting a healthy lifestyle among first responders was prompted by a 1991 heart attack.

— manon l. mirabelli, Courant Community, "Paul Simison Remembered With Road Race," 15 May 2018
Others donated to a running tab for first responders.

— lizzie johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, "Santa Rosa shops survived the wildfires, but aftermath leaves them struggling," 23 Apr. 2018

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.