FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION HONORS FIRST RESPONDER HEROES AT SEVENTH ANNUAL NATIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS DAY CELEBRATION

Hosted by Jon Stewart and presented by T-Mobile, the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony honored 19 heroes nationwide across all first responder disciplines with the prestigious "Hero of Honor" medal on October 28th in New York City's Times Square

NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- First Responders Children's Foundation (FRCF), the only national nonprofit dedicated to serving the children and families of first responders, honored 19 first responders from across the country as part of the organization's annual National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes ceremony live in Times Square on Tuesday.

The ceremony, presented by T-Mobile, recognized the heroic efforts of firefighters, emergency medical services, 911 dispatch, local and federal law enforcement, leadership, collective natural disaster response, volunteer and junior first responders from across the United States. New this year, First Responders Children's Foundation accepted public nominations, encouraging individuals across the country to identify the outstanding first responders who made an extraordinary impact in their communities with their acts of service and heroism.

"Every day, in communities across America, first responders run toward danger while others run to safety. Their courage protects us all, but behind every one of these heroes are children and families who share in the sacrifices of that service," said Jillian Crane, President and CEO of First Responders Children's Foundation. "As we commemorate 25 years since September 11, we remember the promise that gave birth to our Foundation: never forget, and never leave a first responder family behind. National First Responders Day is more than a celebration of extraordinary heroes. It is a call to unite our nation in gratitude, compassion, and action, to stand behind those who stand ready to protect us, and to ensure their children have every opportunity to thrive, pursue their dreams, and reach their full potential."

Award-winning host of "The Daily Show" Jon Stewart, a steadfast champion for the first responder community who has continued to use his voice and platform to fight for those who risk their lives for others, returned as the master of ceremonies and welcomed the honorees to the stage.

"In times of tragedy, first responders are the light that turns fear into hope," said Jon Stewart. "To stand with them is to touch the very core of what holds our communities together, and on National First Responders Day, I'm proud to stand with the First Responders Children's Foundation to celebrate these 19 individuals on behalf of the millions beside them who selflessly run towards danger in order to keep us safe."

Three children of fallen NYPD Officer Robert Sivori presented the 2026 Hero Medals to first responders from around the country, including:

• Leadership Award, sponsored by T-Priority, powered by T‑Mobile: Chad Huff, Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (Canton, GA)
• Federal Law Enforcement Hero Award: Task Force Officer Shakiyl Collier, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, NY Field Office (New York, NY)
• Emergency Medical Services Hero Award: Paramedic Chris Rauzi, Eagle County Paramedic Services (Edwards, CO)
• Firefighter Hero Award: Firefighter Jason Horne, Midlothian Fire Department (Midlothian, TX)
• Volunteer Firefighter Hero Award: Volunteer Firefighter Westley Quinn, Hurricane Fire Department (Hurricane, WV)
• Junior First Responder Hero Award: Explorer Sergeant Christopher Alvarado, Oakland Housing Authority Police Department (Oakland, CA)
• Communications (911 Dispatch) Hero Award: Master Telecommunicator Jenny Smith, Alachua County Sheriff's Office (Gainesville, FL)
• Local Law Enforcement Hero Award: Officer Ali Sabeiha, Elyria Police Department (Elyria, OH)
• Natural Disaster Response Award, sponsored by SERVPRO: Chief Matthew Vinci (Spokane County Fire Department District 9), Chief Mike Nokes (Spokane County Fire Department District 4), Chief Tom Williams (Spokane City Fire Department), Chief Don Malone (Spokane City Fire Department District 10), and Sheriff John Nowels (Spokane County Sheriff's Office)

To honor the local agencies keeping New York safe every day, the Community Hero Awards were presented to:

• NYPD Community Hero Award: Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards, New York City Police Department
• FDNY Community Hero Award: Firefighter Travis Langan, Fire Department of New York City
• MTA PD Community Hero Award: Officer Raheem Uddin, Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Department
• PAPD Community Hero Award: Detective James Wyka, Port Authority Police Department
• NY State Trooper Community Hero Award: Trooper Gerandy Mercado and Trooper Ryan Sanchez, New York State Police

"We are proud to honor Chad Huff with the T-Priority Leadership Award," said Chris Sambar, Chief Enterprise Officer, T-Mobile Business Group. "First responders like Chad dedicate their lives to being there for others, often at great personal sacrifice. Working with First Responders Children's Foundation, we recognize their service and the families who support them. And, when their communications connectivity matters most, we are there with T-Priority, providing them with priority access to the fastest, most reliable network."

Every year, First Responders Children's Foundation urges every state in America to proclaim October 28 National First Responders Day. This year, 37 states issued proclamations presented during the ceremony. These proclamations serve as a powerful reminder to first responders everywhere that people across the country stand with them and recognize their sacrifices.

The significance of this year's celebration was also amplified by the recent 25th anniversary of 9/11, providing an opportunity to honor those who responded on that tragic day and have continued to carry its legacy forward. The 9/11 Legacy of Advocacy Award was presented to a dedicated team of advocates including John Feal, Jon Stewart, Matthew McCauley, Rich Roeill, Ivonne Sanchez, Rob Serra, Sgt. Tom Wilson, Lt. Michael O'Connell, Warden Richard Palmer, Jr., and posthumously to Luis Alvarez, who passed away in 2019 from 9/11-related cancer. This group of individuals, many of whom served as first responders themselves, turned personal tragedy into relentless national action, fighting tirelessly to ensure Congress and the American public recognized a crucial truth: the tragic impacts of 9/11 did not end on September 11, 2001, and continue to this day. Representing heroes from across the entire country who answered the call to serve and came to New York in the aftermath of the attacks, this coalition drove the passage of historic legislation and secured vital funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

The award was presented by First Responders Children's Foundation scholarship recipient Natalie Reisman, whose father FDNY Lt. Steven Reisman passed away in 2014 from 9/11-related brain cancer. Natalie's story is a powerful reminder that the true weight of 9/11 is carried not only by the brave men and women who served, but by the families and children who served alongside them - many of whom have lost their loved ones or are still battling 9/11-related illnesses. The First Responders Children's Foundation recognition of this extraordinary team of advocates highlights the monumental victory that the permanent Victim Compensation Fund guarantees, ensuring the dignity of first responder families and the protection of their children's futures.

Distinguished leaders in attendance included Al Kahn, Founder and Chairman of FRCF; Jillian Crane, President & CEO of FRCF; Craig Martinez, Head of National Public Safety Strategy and Emergency Response, T-Mobile Business Group; John Sooker, CEO, SERVPRO; John Feal, 9/11 responder, advocate, and 2026 National First Responders Day event co-chair; Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance, FRCF Board Member, and 2026 National First Responders Day event co-chair; Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York; Lillian Bonsignore, New York City Fire Commissioner; and Tania Kinsella, First Deputy Commissioner, NYPD.

Founded in the wake of 9/11, the First Responders Children's Foundation has supported first responder families for 25 years through scholarships, financial assistance, mental health services, natural disaster relief, and community engagement. This celebration shines a national spotlight on our heroes and the families who also serve silently alongside them.

T-Mobile served as the presenting partner of National First Responders Day and alongside supporting partners SERVPRO, PLTgolf and more helped bring national recognition to the extraordinary contributions of first responders and their families.

Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance and FRCF Board Member, and John Feal, 9/11 Responder and Advocate and Founder of the FealGood Foundation served as the 2026 National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes ceremony co-chairs.

Photos from the event can be viewed here, and a replay of the event can be viewed here.

ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION:
First Responders Children's Foundation is a national nonprofit that provides programs and resources that address the specific needs of first responders and their families. The Foundation focuses on five key areas: Scholarships, Financial Assistance Grants, Natural Disaster Relief, Mental Health Resiliency with free counseling; and Community Engagement. The Foundation was founded 25 years ago in response to 9/11 when 800 children lost a first responder parent and today uplifts all children of first responders across the country. Additional information about FRCF can be found at www.1stRCF.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @1strcf.

CONTACT:
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis
[email protected] 
(212) 691-2800

SOURCE First Responders Children's Foundation