General public definition
- A first responder is a professional with specialized training who arrives at the scene of an emergency to provide immediate medical or evacuation help. The emergency could be a motor accident, a natural disaster, or a terrorist attack.
- The definition of first responder continues to evolve and may change.
- Historically, first responders have included firefighters, paramedics, and police officers.
- Many people also consider other trained members of organizations that provide professional assistance during an emergency (e.g. military personnel and public safety communicators such as 911 dispatchers) to be first responders.
Academic definition
- A first responder is an officially mandated person with specialized training who arrives at the scene of an emergency, such as a motor accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack, to provide medical or evacuation assistance.
- This definition continues to evolve.
- Historically, first responders have often included firefighters, paramedics, and police officers.
- Other trained members of organizations who provide professional assistance during an emergency (e.g. military personnel and public safety communicators such as 911 dispatchers) may also be considered as first responders.
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