First responders, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians, provide essential services to communities across the United States. To acknowledge this service, many businesses and organizations offer special discounts and freebies. These benefits can range from discounted travel and home services to savings on everyday goods and electronics. Access to these offers typically requires verification of employment or status through official identification or online verification services. This article outlines the types of discounts and freebies available, the common methods for verification, and specific examples of participating brands and services based on publicly available information.
National First Responders Day
A significant annual event for first responders is National First Responders Day, observed every year on October 28. This day-long event honors firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and other first responders with freebies at national chain restaurants. The offers can vary in value, from free cookies to free entrees. Most of these deals do not require a purchase but do require the presentation of a valid work ID. The specific offers and participating locations can change annually, so checking with individual restaurants ahead of the event is recommended.
Verification Methods for Accessing Discounts
Many brands and retailers require verification to ensure that discounts are extended only to eligible individuals. The sources mention several common verification services:
- SheerID, ID.me, and VerifyPass: These are third-party identity verification platforms used by many online retailers to confirm first responder status. Once verified through one of these services, an individual may gain access to a brand’s exclusive discount page or receive a unique promo code for online purchases.
- Official Work ID: For in-person discounts at restaurants, retail stores, or local businesses, a valid work ID is typically required.
- Government Rate: Some services, particularly in travel and hospitality, offer special rates for government employees, which can include first responders working in federal, state, county, or local government positions.
Discounts by Category
First responder discounts span numerous categories, from dining and travel to home goods and automotive services.
Dining and Food
Several national and local restaurants offer discounts to first responders, though availability can vary by location.
- Chick-fil-A: Deals for police officers and law enforcement officials vary by location.
- Dave & Busters: Discounts can range from 10-20% off food and/or game play, or include free $10 playing cards. A valid ID is required.
- Home Chef: Offers 50% off the first order and 10% off later orders.
- Outback Steakhouse: Provides a 10% discount on the entire check, available all day, every day.
Travel and Hospitality
Travel benefits are a common perk for first responders, with discounts available on hotels, car rentals, and activities.
- Hotels and Resorts: Many national hotel chains offer police officer discounts. For example, Caesars Palace provides discounts at most of its owned hotel and restaurant locations in Las Vegas and across the country. Omni Hotels offers a special government per diem rate to first responders in government positions.
- Car Rentals: Companies like Budget Truck Rental offer 20% off local moves and 15% off one-way moves. Dollar Car provides 5% off rentals, unlimited mileage, and free upgrades. Hertz offers discounted rates and space upgrades for police officers.
- Travel Clubs: The Heroes Vacation Club offers travel benefits exclusive to first responders, with savings of up to 60% on hotels, car rentals, cruises, and activities. When signing up, users should select “Badge Discounts” as their organization.
- Theme Parks: Walt Disney World offers special deals and discounts, which can be checked on their official website. Sandals Resorts also offers discounts for first responders.
Automotive
Beyond rentals, discounts are available for purchasing car parts, accessories, and even new vehicles.
- Ford & General Motors: Savings are available for law enforcement, though they depend on location and can vary at different times.
Home and Household Goods
Significant savings can be found for home-related purchases and services.
- Home Buying Programs: Homes for Heroes is a program that helps first responders save money when buying or selling a home. By working with their network of affiliate real estate and mortgage specialists, qualified heroes can save an average of $3,000 after closing. The program also offers a local deals page for savings on title companies and movers.
- Electronics and Appliances: Abt Electronics offers first responders a $50 savings on orders of $500 or more, plus free shipping. The discount is received by clicking the “First Responder Discount” button at checkout. LG’s Community Heroes discount includes a best-price guarantee, free installation on major appliances, and free shipping. Samsung’s First Responders Offers program provides discounts on mobile phones, wearables, home entertainment, and home appliances. HP’s Frontline Heroes Stores offer discounts up to 40%, along with free shipping and easy returns.
- Home Goods: Overstock.com offers free Club O Membership to first responders.
Retail, Apparel, and Personal Goods
A wide array of retail brands offer percentage-based discounts on clothing, footwear, and accessories.
- Apparel and Footwear: Puma offers 20% off purchases. Reebok provides 30% off footwear and apparel. Rhone Activewear offers a 10% discount. Rothy’s gives 20% off select styles and colors. Roxy offers 15% off purchases. Tommie Copper provides a 15% site-wide discount (cannot be combined with other deals). Under Armour offers a 10% discount in-store and online, with potential for higher discounts during promotions. Vineyard Vines offers 15% off purchases every 30 days.
- Specialty Goods: Theragun offers 20% off any regularly priced Theragun device. ThirdLove provides 15% off one-time purchases on all full-price items. Spartan Armor gives an exclusive discount to first responders after identity verification, resulting in a one-time promo code.
Electronics
Electronics manufacturers often have dedicated discount programs.
- Apple: Offers government employees special pricing on some personal electronic devices. To redeem, users can visit Apple’s website and select the appropriate affiliation (e.g., “shop for your agency” or “shop for yourself”).
- GoPro: Police officers and other first responders receive a 15% discount on full-price GoPro products.
Additional Benefits and Resources
Beyond direct discounts, other resources are available to support first responders and their families.
- Scholarships: The First Responder Children's Foundation provides scholarships to the dependents of active, retired, or deceased police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs.
- Discount Aggregator Websites: Websites like BadgeDiscounts.com compile over 600 local and national first responder discounts. These sites allow users to browse offers and click through to brand websites to receive discounts, promo codes, or special rates. Most require proof of employment via an official ID or an identity verification site.
- Compilations: Other resources, such as those provided by Homes for Heroes, list various retail stores across the country that offer law enforcement discounts with a valid ID, often using verification services like ID.me, SheerID, or GovX.
Important Considerations
It is important to note that offers, prices, savings, and local participation may vary. Each company has its own policy regarding which occupations or statuses (active vs. retired) qualify for their discount. First responders that may qualify for discounts include, but are not limited to: state and local police officers, federal law enforcement, firefighters, search and rescue, paramedics, and EMTs. Always verify the specific terms and conditions directly with the brand or service provider before making a purchase.
Conclusion
First responders have access to a wide range of discounts and freebies across multiple categories, including dining, travel, home goods, apparel, and electronics. These benefits are offered by both national chains and local businesses as a gesture of appreciation for their service. Access is typically managed through verification systems like SheerID, ID.me, or official work IDs. Key opportunities include the annual National First Responders Day on October 28, year-round discounts through aggregator websites, and significant savings programs for home purchases. While the availability and terms of offers can vary, numerous resources exist to help first responders find and utilize these savings opportunities.