It’s pretty much impossible to thank our first responders enough for everything they do to keep us safe. But I think we can all agree that first responder freebies are a good start.
And luckily, a lot of healthcare worker discounts also apply to first responders. Plus, there are also plenty of deals available year-round. (Though you'll find most deals on Oct. 28, aka National First Responders Day — we'll update this post again when we get closer to that date).
Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians can access these perks with their work IDs in-person, or get SheerID verification discounts online. These freebies and savings opportunities include things like free food and discounts on clothing, cosmetics, and home goods.
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National First Responders Day is a yearly, day-long event that gives freebies to first responders.
National First Responders Day honors firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other first responders with freebies at national chain restaurants all day long. These range in value from free cookies to free entrees. Most of the deals don’t require any purchase, but they do require you to present your ID.
National First Responders Day happens every year on Oct. 28.
Count on it; National First Responders Day is always on Oct. 28. In 2024, that means it’ll be on Monday, Oct. 28.
Where can first responders get free food and discounted meals year round?
These offers say "thank you" any time of year.
Firehouse Subs: As a thank you to their namesake, Firehouse Subs gives first responders a free drink with a meal purchase. Just make sure you show up with your ID or in uniform.
K & W Cafeterias: First responders can get a free dessert with an adult entree purchase.
Texas de Brazil: Bring in your badge or ID to get a 15% heroes discount.
KIND: Get 15% off when you verify your affiliation with ID.me.
Shoney's: Participating locations offer 15% for first responders in uniform.
Chick-Fil-A: While the discount varies by location, you can usually count on savings of up to $5 if you're in uniform or have your badge.
Outback Steakhouse: Take advantage of a 10% heroes discount with your badge or work ID.
Dave and Busters: Bring your military or first responder ID to get 15% off.
Where can first responders get discounts on apparel and accessories?
Many apparel stores give discounts to first responders on National First Responders Day and beyond. Here’s our list of every apparel store offering discounts every day. Just make sure to present your ID at checkout.
Ariat International: First responders can enjoy 10% off on ariat.com after verifying eligibility on their site.
Asics: You’ll get 25% 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. This offer comes and goes but was last active in Dec. 2023.
UGG: 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.
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 15% 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% - 40% off all your purchases at Under Armour.
Vivaia: First responders can visit vivaia.com to enjoy a 20% off discount.
Where can first responders can discounts on home essentials, entertainment, and travel?
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:
Atkins Nutritionals: First responders can enjoy 15% off Bars & Shakes at Shop.Atkins.com every day. You must verify online before purchasing.
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 20% 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.
Tortuga: Get 20% off the brand’s travel products as a first responder (law enforcement officers, paramedics, EMTs, and firefighters). They ask that you contact them for an exclusive coupon code. Include verification by using your official email account or including ID or other documentation. There is a cap of $1,000 in discounts.
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 15% off MSRP sitewide when you verify your ID with SheerID.
Does Amazon have a first responders' discount?
While Amazon has a landing page for first responder gear, there are currently no active discounts. However, during Veteran's Day a few years ago, Amazon did offer a $40 discount on qualifying purchases to first responders with a Prime membership. We hope to see a similar deal in the future.
Related: Looking for Veterans Day deals instead? Here's every deal you’ll need to know before Veterans Day.
Do first responders get flight discounts?
Unfortunately, no. While Southwest, American, JetBlue, and Delta have some military deals, there aren't any discounts for first responders.
Where can first responders get a free meal and other food deals on National First Responders Day?
While most restaurants and retailers haven’t announced their deals for National First Responders Day, here’s what we predict that you can grab on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024 based on deals we've seen in past years.
Applebee’s: T.L. Cannon Applebee’s locations (Upstate NY, CT, and Sayre, PA) offered First Responders a free order of Mozzarella Sticks or a Brownie Bite and 15% off your meal from Oct. 23 to 28, 2023.
Denny’s: Offered a coupon for BOGO free Pumpkin Pies (regularly $2.00) until Oct. 31, 2023.
Firehouse Subs: From Oct. 23 to 28, 2023, first responders in uniform or with an ID could have grabbed BOGO free subs (up to an $11.47 value). This deal was only be available in-restaurant.
Hooters: First responders could have gotten 10 free boneless wings (reg. $13.79) with any ten wing purchase (up to $16.99 value) on National First Responders Day 2023. You had to show your ID. Offer was only valid for in-restaurant orders.
Insomnia Cookies: First responders could have grabbed a free cookie all week during First Responders Day week 2023.
Potbelly: Free fountain drink or cookie with the purchase of an entree for First Responders on Oct. 28, 2023.
Ruby Tuesday: Free Endless Garden Bar with the promo code HERO23 for dine-in with an ID on First Responders Day 2023.
The Lowe’s National First Responders digital coupon book with $1,500 in savings was available for First Responders Day 2023.
In 2023, Lowe’s announced that eligible first responders (active/retired firefighters, EMT paramedics, 9-1-1 dispatchers, police officers, active physicians and nurses) could have signed up for their First Responders digital coupon book that contained $1,500 in savings. The coupons were valid online, in the Lowe’s app, and in stores from Oct. 1 – 30, 2023.
Here’s a look at what was inside:
30% off Cabinets
25% off Allen & Roth Bathroom & Kitchen Faucets
10% off Kobalt Outdoor Power Equipment and Power Tools
$10 off Fire Safety Products
To take advantage of this exclusive offer you’ll needed to register and validate your eligibility through ID.me and register online at Lowes.com (it was free to create accounts for both). Once you have linked both, you automatically received your coupons via the email address linked to your Lowe’s account. When shopping online you needed to use the applicable coupon code at checkout. For in-store shopping, ask your cashier to scan your discount barcode during checkout.
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