The First Responders Award is to recognize those who are serving or have served their communities as Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT/ Paramedics , Dispatchers and volunteer members of organizations that support them, similar to recognition shown in the Military Award except that it shall be worldwide.
The classifications recognized for this award shall be:
D = Dispatcher at a Joint (Jurisdiction) Communications Center or State, County, City or Department level. Those personnel answering 911 type calls and dispatching a First Responder to the scene.
E = EMT or Paramedic serving in the public or private sector assigned to an Air Car, Ambulance or fixed location in time of an emergency.
F = Firefighter including federal, state, county and city jurisdictions, full time, part time or volunteer member routinely called upon to serve.
P = Police including federal, state, county and city jurisdictions and reserve components routinely called upon to serve.
R = First Responder Civilian Volunteers - Civilian volunteer that assist when acting under direction of various agencies at the local, county, state or federal level. For example, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), Search and Rescue Groups (SAR), Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGAUX), Civil Air Patrol (CAP) or other agency's serving at the local, county, state or federal level.
Those OMISS members who are currently or have served in multiple classifications as outlined above, may apply for multiple designators. Outside of the United States any foreign government equivalent level of jurisdiction shall qualify participants for First Responder status.
The First Responder Basic Award will be awarded to any OMISS member who works 25 First Responders (mixed designators), as listed on the OMISS web page, during OMISS nets on assigned net frequencies (+/-). PLEASE SORT YOUR SUBMITTED LIST BY OM NUMBER.
Log information is required, including, date, time, frequency, call sign, OM# and First Responder Designator (D, E, F, P, R). Current endorsements include:
* 25 additional mixed First Responders worked
* 25 additional Police (P) contacts
* 25 additional Firefighter (F) contacts
* 25 additional Dispatcher (D) contacts
* 25 additional EMT/Paramedic (E) contacts
* 25 additional Volunteers (R) contacts.
First Responders with multiple designators may be claimed for all of their designators by listing them once for each designator. Contacts made on or after July 1, 2007 will be valid for this award. Additional endorsements may be added to this award as the program grows and the need becomes evident.