what are first responders

First responders are individuals with specialized training who are among the first to arrive and provide assistance or incident resolution at the scene of an emergency. They typically include law enforcement officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and firefighters. In some jurisdictions, emergency department personnel, such as doctors and nurses, are also required to respond to disasters and critical situations, designating them first responders. The term "first responder" is defined by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 as individuals who protect life, evidence, property, or the environment during the early stages of an emergency. Other examples of first responders include community first responders, who are dispatched to attend medical emergencies until an ambulance arrives, and wilderness first responders, who are trained to provide pre-hospital care in remote settings. First responders play a vital role in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. They are often the first on the scene and are a critical part of getting people the care they need when disaster strikes.