First Responder Discounts And Freebies A Guide To Year-Round Savings And National First Responders Day Offers

Jan. 17, 2026, 10:36 a.m.

Tags: paramedic

First responders provide essential services that protect communities and save lives. In recognition of their dedication, numerous brands and retailers offer exclusive discounts, free products, and special promotions to firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. These benefits are available through various verification methods and are offered across a wide range of categories, including food, apparel, electronics, and home goods. Additionally, National First Responders Day on October 28 serves as a focal point for many annual freebies and deals.

Verification and Eligibility

Accessing first responder discounts typically requires verification of professional status. Brands utilize third-party services to confirm eligibility, ensuring that offers are reserved for qualified individuals.

Verification Services: Common platforms used for online verification include SheerID, ID.me, and VerifyPass. Some brands also operate proprietary programs, such as Gerber Gear’s Pro Program or HYLETE’s Service League.
Required Documentation: In-store purchases often require a work ID, service badge, or valid photo ID with proof of employment.
Eligible Professions: Most programs cover police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and other emergency personnel. Some offers extend to retired first responders and immediate family members.

National First Responders Day

Observed annually on October 28, National First Responders Day honors the contributions of emergency professionals. This day is characterized by a variety of freebies at national chain restaurants, ranging from free cookies to free entrees. Most of these deals do not require a purchase, but participants must present a valid work ID to redeem the offer.

Food and Beverage Discounts

Several food and beverage brands offer discounted meals and subscription services to first responders and medical professionals.

HelloFresh: Medical providers, nurses, hospital employees, and military personnel can receive 55% off their first box and free shipping, plus 15% off subsequent boxes for 51 weeks. Verification is conducted via ID.me.
Home Chef: Military personnel, students, healthcare workers, and first responders are eligible for 50% off their first purchase and 10% off future purchases. Discount requires ID.me verification on the payment page.
Hooters: First responders, healthcare workers, and military personnel receive 20% off all food takeout orders.
Kansas City Steak: Nurses and first responders can get 20% off via ID.me.
McAlister’s Deli: During Nurse Appreciation Week, teachers and medical professionals with a valid ID can receive a free tea at participating locations.
Texas de Brazil: Service members, EMS personnel, and teachers are eligible for a 10% in-store discount.

Apparel and Footwear

Clothing and footwear retailers provide significant savings on uniforms, athletic gear, and casual wear.

Academy Sports and Outdoors: Offers a 10% discount for military members and first responders, valid both in-store and online.
Asics: Provides 25% off all full-priced products for police, EMTs, and firefighters. Verification is required via SheerID.
Boden: Offers 20% off orders for healthcare workers, military, first responders, teachers, and students via SheerID.
BN3TH: Military members and first responders receive 20% off all orders after verifying via ID.me.
Calvin Klein: Healthcare workers are eligible for an extra 20% frontline workers discount.
Dickies: Active first responders can receive a 20% discount on their total purchase by verifying with a valid SheerID account.
Jockey: Active and retired first responders receive a 10% discount after signing in and verifying through ID.me.
Nurse Mates: Offers 25% off sitewide with code NURSE25 during the Happy Nurses Appreciation Sale.
Ugg: First responders enjoy 10% off full-priced styles year-round.
Under Armour: Provides 20% off all purchases.
Vera Bradley: Offers 10% off for first responders and verified medical professionals. The offer is non-shareable and requires ID.me verification. Free shipping is available on orders of $99 or more.

Electronics, Home Goods, and Security

Discounts are also available for technology, home essentials, and security systems.

Brooklyn Bedding: First responders receive an additional 5% discount plus free shipping by signing in with ID.me.
Dynotag: First responders with valid ID can obtain a free Mini Emergency SuperMed ID tag, which includes free shipping.
GameStop: Police officers receive a 10% discount. Valid proof of employment must be presented in-store.
HELM Audio: First responders can get 40% off HELM True Wireless 5 Headphones by verifying with ID.me.
Heated Clothing 4 U: Active and retired police, firefighters, and paramedics receive 15% off with valid ID or proof of employment.
HYLETE: First responders subscribing to the HYLETE Service League can access exclusive promotions and up to 30% off select gear via GovX verification.
Miku: Active firefighters, police, and EMTs receive a 10% discount on online orders via ID.me.
PC Richard & Son: Offers discounts to active and retired paramedics, police officers, EMTs, and firefighters who present valid photo ID with proof of employment in-store.
Ring: Provides a 20% discount on select smart alarms, doorbells, and security systems. Police, firefighters, and EMTs must sign in with VerifyPass to receive a code.
Silk Smartish: First responders can save up to 15% on phones and products by signing in with VerifyPass for a discount code.
Tuft & Needle: Offers 15% off mattresses for law enforcement, paramedics, EMTs, and firefighters.
Verizon Wireless and Fios: Discounts are available on Unlimited and Fios monthly plans for active and retired first responders and their immediate family members.

Specialized and Miscellaneous Offers

Several brands provide discounts on specific products or through unique programs.

DC Shoes: Offers a 15% discount on select online orders to first responders verified through SheerID.
Galen Leather: First responders save 8% by signing in with VerifyPass to receive a discount code. This offer is available once every 24 hours.
Gerber Gear: Full-time first responders can receive product discounts and free shipping on orders over $50 by joining the Gerber Gear Pro Program.
Mrs. Fields: Offers special prices on nurse and medical hero cookie gift baskets.
Positive Promotions: Provides discounted nurse gifts, including bamboo light speakers and tote bags.
The Popcorn Factory: Celebrates Nurses Week with special prices on select Nurse Week gifts.
Uniform Advantage: Offers up to 70% off popular brands, including Butter-Soft Stretch and Easy Stretch.

Conclusion

First responders have access to a wide array of discounts and freebies that recognize their service. These offers span multiple categories, including food, apparel, electronics, and home goods, and are accessible through online verification services like ID.me and SheerID, as well as in-store ID presentation. National First Responders Day on October 28 serves as a key date for additional freebies, though many brands provide year-round savings. To take advantage of these offers, first responders should verify their eligibility through the specified platforms and present required documentation where applicable.