Nominate your hero for the National First Responder of the Year Award
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The National Association of Convenience Stores Foundation has opened voting for its second annual First Responder of the Year Award, giving communities across the country the chance to recognize local heroes who go above and beyond in service to others.
The three first responders will ultimately receive the honor.
According to Kevin O’Connell, executive director of the NACS Foundation, the award is tied to the organization’s mission of supporting communities and recognizing service.
“Our three pillars are disaster relief, which is where this first responders award and day comes from. Our second is education and scholarships. And then the third one is, we are doing a lot right now around food insecurity, hunger relief. This work is part of the industry’s annual 24/7 Day celebration,” O’Connell explained.
Convenience stores across the country are now rallying together to recognize first responders who consistently go above and beyond for their communities.
Voices from past recipients of News 12’s First Responder Hero Award, presented in partnership with Wettermark Keith, can also be heard thanking the community for recognizing their service, giving examples of hard-working heroes in our community.
Captain Blazek with the Chattanooga Fire Department: “Just know that the Chattanooga Fire Department is always here to serve, and that we’re gonna do our best on every single call, and you will always get our best. Call us. We’ll come.”
Pikeville Police Department officer Hailey Beaty: “We’ll listen, we’ll do everything that we can. This community is just the best.”
Luke Meeks with Grundy County EMT: “No, but I do appreciate y’all, and I do care about y’all, so if you see me out, say hi. If you’re ever in the back of my ambulance, just know I’m gonna take good care of you and treat you like you’re my family.”
Lexie McNabb with the South Pittsburg Police Department: “And I encourage you, if you ever need anything, to reach out ‘cause we’ll always be there.”
Tyler Ellis with Puckett EMS: “When we show up on scene, people are handing us their most prized possession, their children, their spouses, their mom, their dad, and allowing us to take care of them on some of their worst days. And that right there is just a feeling that you can’t replace.”
O’Connell also explained that canine officers and search and rescue dogs are eligible for nomination alongside their handlers.
“Even a human first responder and their partner is a canine officer, a canine first responder, or a search and rescue. By all means, you can nominate them as well,” he stated.
The executive director also shared details about the prizes awarded to the winners.
“So, the first-place winner is gonna get free gas for a year, compliments of our partner, GSTV. So that’s up to a $2,500 value. And then the first, second, and third place winners will also receive a $500 gift card compliments of income Payments.”
This award is separate from News 12’s monthly First Responder Hero Award, and community members can nominate up to three heroes for the national recognition.
Click here to nominate your hero.
