first responder

[furst ri-spon-der]

noun

1. a person who is certified to provide medical care in emergencies before more highly trained medical personnel arrive on the scene.

   a firefighter trained as a first responder.

first responder

noun

1. a person who is trained to provide basic life support in a medical emergency

Word History and Origins

Origin of first responder¹

First recorded in 1970–75

When To Use

What does first responder mean?

A first responder is a real-life superhero. They're someone whose job is to respond immediately (first) when there is an accident or emergency. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), paramedics, firefighters, and police officers are all considered first responders.How is first responder pronounced?[ furst ri-spon-der ]