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It’s pretty much impossible to thank our first responders enough for everything they do to keep us safe, but a bunch of perks and freebies from retailers and food holiday type restaurant deals on National First Responders Day, which will be celebrated October 28, 2023, is a good start!
And even if it’s not National First Responders Day, there are still plenty of year-round offers that only firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians can access.
We’ve found all the ways you can get National First Responders Day freebies and discounts. (In order to get these freebies and deals, you’re going to need to provide your ID — either in person or by verifying online.)
Not a first responder? We’ve got lists of freebies and deals with lots of profession-related holidays, like National Nurses Day and National Teacher Appreciation Day, so no worries; there are plenty of freebies you can get.
When is National First Responders Day?
National First Responders Day is on Oct. 28 — and that’s not just another made-up holiday, people. In 2019 the U.S. Senate passed a resolution officially designating every Oct. 28 as the day to honor first responders — and that was before the craziness of Covid. This year National First Responders Day is on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022.
Related: Looking for Veterans Day deals instead? We know every deal you’ll need to know before Veterans Day.
National First Responders Day Food Freebies

There’s nothing better than saying “thank you” with a free or discounted meal, and several restaurants are offering deals all day long. Here’s every restaurant offering National First Responders Day deals:
- Applebee’s: First responders will get 15% off their meal and free mozzarella sticks (reg. $9.99) or a brownie bite (reg. $2.49) when they show their ID from Oct. 24 – 28. Cannot be redeemed online.
- Atkins Nutritionals: First responders can enjoy 15% off Bars & Shakes at Shop.Atkins.com every day. You must verify online before purchasing.
- Firehouse Subs: On Oct. 28, firefighters, police, EMTs, and paramedics in uniform will get a free sub with any purchase. Plus, first responders in uniform get a free medium drink (reg. $1.89) with the purchase of any meal, anytime.
- Hooters: Ten free boneless wings (reg. $8.99) for any ten wing purchase (reg. $9.79) on National First Responders Day when you show your ID. Cannot be redeemed online.
- Insomnia Cookies: First responders get a free 6-pack of cookies (reg. $10.60) with a $5 purchase on Oct. 28 when you show your ID. Cannot be redeemed online.
- Krispy Kreme: First responders will get a free doughnut (reg. $1.69) and hot or iced coffee (reg. $2.49) when they show their ID. Cannot be redeemed online.
- Macaroni Grill: Any first responder who shows their ID can get a free order of Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs & Spaghetti (reg. $15.50). Cannot be redeemed online.
Other National First Responders Day Deals

We’ve found a few more National First Responders Day discounts that aren’t food freebies. Here’s every other discount we could find:
- DiamondBack Covers: For the month of October, first responders get 10% off truck bed covers and more at DiamondBack. You’ll just need to verify your account on their website.
- Interior Define: First responders can receive 25% off any custom furniture order from Oct. 28 – 31.
Year-Round First Responders Day Apparel Discounts

Many apparel stores are giving discounts to first responders on National First Responders Day and beyond. Here’s our list of every apparel store offering discounts every day:
- Ariat International: First responders can enjoy 10% off on ariat.com after verifying eligibility on their site.
- Asics: You’ll get 40% off your first purchase on the Asics website when you verify on their site.
- Billabong: First responders receive a 30% discount off shoes and other Billabong apparel after verifying with SheerID.
- Boden: First responders can enjoy 20% off their entire purchase plus free shipping on orders over $49 when they verify their ID on SheerID.
- Deckers: First responders can enjoy 10% off full-priced styles from Ugg.
- DC Shoes: All first responders receive a 30% discount off DC Shoes online store. You must verify your status with SheerID.
- Havaianas: First responders can enjoy 20% off flip-flops, charms, and other accessories at Havaianas.com.
- J.Crew: First responders can enjoy 15% off purchases at jcrew.com when they verify online on their site. This discount can be redeemed four times a month.
- Levi Strauss & Co.: First responders can enjoy a 15% discount on all Levi’s apparel when they verify their ID on their site.
- NFL Shop: Get 15% off your orders on the NFL shop when you verify your ID on ID.me.
- Quicksilver: First responders receive a 30% discount off apparel at Quicksilver when you verify your ID with SheerID.
- Rothy’s: First responders, including firefighters, EMTs, and police officers, can enjoy 20% off one pair of shoes annually.
- Roxy: When you verify your ID with SheerID, first responders can receive a 30% discount off apparel at ROXY.
- RVCA: First responders receive a 30% discount off apparel and more at RVCA.
- Under Armour: When you verify your ID on ID.me, you’ll get 20% off all your purchases at Under Armour.
- Vivaia: First responders can visit vivaia.com to enjoy a 20% off discount when you verify your ID on their site.
Year-Round First Responders Discounts

From beach vacations to channel subscriptions, there are plenty of first responder discounts available (even when it isn’t National First Responders Day). Here are our favorite discounts you can get with your ID:
- Aveda: First responders get 20% off their purchase when you verify your ID with SheerID.
- CheapCarribean.com: Get $150 off a beach vacation with their Rescue2Relax deal when you verify your ID on their site.
- Fox Nation: First responders (police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics) can enjoy a free 1-year subscription (reg. $64.99) to FOX Nation.
- Huel: First responders can enjoy 10% off on all purchases of Huel’s meal replacement drinks.
- Lixil: First responders can enjoy sitewide savings of up to 65% off and free shipping from Lixil’s Insider store on all kitchen and bath products from Lixil brands.
- Molekule: First responders can enjoy 20% off air purifiers when they verify their ID on their website.
- Oui the People: First responders can enjoy 20% off their entire purchase, excluding gift cards or blade refills from Oui the People after verifying their status on their site.
- P.volve: First responders can enjoy 30% off equipment and digital memberships from P.volve, a low-impact, results-driven fitness method, to help responders take care of their health, too.
- Spec Op Tools: First responders can enjoy 15% off any of their tools when they verify their ID on their site.
- Too Faced Cosmetics: First responders can take 20% off their order when they verify their ID with SheerID.
- Tuft & Needle: Mattresses for law enforcement, paramedics, EMTs, and firefighters will be 15% off your purchase.
- Whirlpool: All major appliances, including KitchenAid and Maytag, are 25% off MSRP sitewide when you verify your ID with SheerID.
