Serving the Citizens of Jefferson County, Alabama First Responder A first responder is a person who arrives first on the scene of an incident and takes action to save lives, protect property, and meet basic human needs. Local police, fire, and emergency medical personnel are usually described as first responders, but in recent years the definition has grown to include bystanders who perform search and rescue, transportation, and communication during the incident. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial support and training to first responders. More information can be found on the FEMA website at: www.fema.gov/fema/first_res.shtm Some links on this page may require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. You can download the Adobe Acrobat Reader for FREE at: www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Website maintained by the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, Birmingham, Alabama