October 28th marked National First Responders Day. This day signifies the importance of honoring those who sign up to run towards danger to save lives. Our communities’ first responders are tirelessly on the front lines defending our safety. These men and women devote their lives to serving the people of Nebraska and the surrounding area, and they pledge to do it with the utmost integrity. First responders are there to protect and serve all of us, and they frequently act as mentors, counselors, and/or medical professionals. Regardless of the cause, they respond around the clock, seven days a week, frequently without knowing what they will uncover and never being able to undo what they have seen. These men and women stand by us on our worst days, in trying circumstances, or in times of crisis and disaster.
First Responder includes so many community members, such as law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and correctional officers. Those that are trained and working in larger industrial companies even have their own first responder teams in-house. First responders can be professionals or volunteers, however, all striving to protect and better their communities. These first responders respond to calls all over the nation and world when disaster strikes.

I would like to also thank the families of the first responders. Family members provide the essential foundation at home which allows their first responders to have confidence in the field. First responders often miss life’s luxuries, such as a child’s baseball game, or a spouse’s birthday. These things are all sacrifices that are made for the greater good.

These brave men and women do all of this by choice. With this said, I want to give my utmost thanks to those who serve and pay tribute to the deceased today, and every day, because of our military, police, and first responders who put their lives in danger to keep ours safe. To these men and women, professional and volunteer, I want to simply say Thank You!

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604; telephone 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.