Honoring Indiana's First Responders

Whether you're on Indiana's roadways, at work or relaxing at home, first responders across the state are on duty and ready to serve.

Every day, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel put their personal safety on the line as they work to keep our neighborhoods safe.

This year, Senate Republicans supported a new law that created the Hoosier First Responder Medal of Honor.

House Enrolled Act 1142 gives the state an opportunity to recognize first responders who go above and beyond the call of duty while in service of their fellow Hoosiers.

The nomination process for a medal will go as follows:

• First responders will be nominated by their respective departments, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) will determine if the first responder is eligible for the medal;
• IDHS will then notify a member of the General Assembly who represents the district where the department is located;
• That legislator will then recommend the first responder for the medal to the governor; and finally
• The governor may award the medal to the first responder, or their next of kin, at a public ceremony.

In recent years, Senate Republicans have worked to help our state's first responders in a number of ways – including pay raises for Indiana State Police, Indiana Conservation Officers and Indiana State Excise Police in the current state budget.

Hoosiers must never take their safety for granted and should make sure to recognize and appreciate our state's first responders for the work they do daily to protect the lives of others.