ANNEX FIRST RESPONDER DEFINITIONS
Dictionary Definition:
first responder, fr
n.
A person, such as a police officer, firefighter, or EMT, trained in urgent medical care and other emergency procedures and prepared to move quickly to the scene of an accident or disaster.
Department of Homeland Security: defines a “first responder” as a trained or certified individual who, upon arriving early to an incident or emergency, assumes immediate responsibility for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence and the environment.
Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-8 (section 2):
2) Definitions: d) The term ‘first responder’ refers to those individuals who in the early stages of an incident are responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the environment, including emergency response providers as defined in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101), as well as emergency management, public health, clinical care, public works, and other skilled support personnel (such as equipment operators) that provide immediate support services during prevention, response, and recovery operations.
Section 2 of the Homeland Security Act, Section 2
Defines emergency response providers as including: “Federal, State, and local emergency public safety, law enforcement, emergency response, emergency medical (including hospital emergency facilities), and related personnel, agencies, and authorities.” Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-296 §2(6),
116 Stat. 2135, 2140 (codified at 6 U.S.C. §101(6)).
FCC: Definition of a First Responder
Sunday, October 26, 2008
According to the FCC, the only people who will be classified as first responders when it comes to being able to use the 700-MHz public safety broadband network (PSBN) are the approximately 3 million people in the United States who carry guns, wear fire boots, or carry a first-aid kit on the job. A number of organizations are unhappy with the FCC’s definition of first responders and want it broadened to include other support groups.
Who Are “Disaster Workers”? (As defined by the Newport Beach Fire Department, Community Emergency Response Team) A variety of services, agencies, and programs work together to provide emergency services and disaster assistance to local residents after a disaster event. However, these service providers cannot be everywhere at once, and initial needs may be greater than they can handle immediately with available resources. During these initial hours after a disaster, when damage is heavy or widespread and emergency services are stretched thin, many people are called upon to provide assistance to those around them.
Individuals and families help themselves. Neighbors help neighbors. Coworkers help each other. Able-bodied people turn out to offer their services to the emergency services workers. Volunteers play an extremely important role in reducing the death, injury, and damage in the period immediately after a disaster. They bring a wide variety of skills and experience to the task, and through teamwork can help build a vital network that links all parts of the disaster area.
