By: Danielle Pietersen | October 19th, 2021

Many companies appreciate first responders and want to say thank you for their service in times of crisis. The pandemic has made businesses even more aware of the valuable services that first responders provide. Many stores and companies have also been moved to include medical professionals as first responders or even offer separate discounts for doctors and nurses. 

Each store has slightly different criteria for who is included, so it’s worth checking carefully and making sure you have all the necessary documentation with you when you plan to shop.

Who Are Considered First Responders For Discounts? 

It can be hard to know who exactly is considered a first responder and where the line is drawn when it comes to discounts. Usually, the list includes firefighters, police officers, law enforcement, EMTs, paramedics, flight nurses, and volunteer firefighters. The list of those who typically qualify is actually quite long, so if you’re unsure, it’s worth checking. If you don’t qualify, there are other options available. Some stores have a much broader definition and even those who don’t qualify can find amazing deals if they know where to look. Read on to find out about even more great deals for those who don’t qualify as first responders.

ID.me

Most companies won’t simply take your word that you’re a first responder and will need some sort of proof or verification. Requirements vary from store to store, but many stores and websites make use of a third party to verify whether people are actually first responders. ID.me is the most common one that you’ll come across, but there are others like VerifyPass and SheerID.

How Does It Work?

These third parties usually use an online system and require you to submit certain information and documents to prove that you are actually a first responder. It sounds complicated and time-consuming, but it’s actually a pretty quick process. 

Once you’ve been verified, you can use the same verification over and over to prove that you’re a first responder. It ends up being way quicker and easier than having to prove your identity to a variety of stores and meet all the requirements. The best part is you don’t have to deal with the stress of wondering whether you qualify for a discount while you’re shopping because everything is approved beforehand.

Is A RN A First Responder? 

Only emergency medical technicians qualify as first responders. Doctors, registered nurses, and other medical professionals aren’t listed as first responders, although they can sometimes qualify for other discounts. Although it isn’t typical, some stores do include medical professionals and especially nurses in their list of first responders. Including medical professionals has become more common since the start of the pandemic. Many stores are also starting to offer discounts and even perks like skipping the queue to medical professionals.

Are Police Officers And Law Enforcement First Responders?

Police officers and those in law enforcement typically qualify as first responders. If your role isn’t typical or you aren’t sure whether you qualify, you can use a third party identity verification like ID.me to check. If you don’t make the list, don’t despair, there are many stores that have a much broader definition of who qualifies as a first responder. Even if you don’t qualify, there are still great deals and discounts to be had. Read on to find out about some other ways to get discounts even if you aren’t a first responder.

Does Amazon Give A First Responder Discount? 

Amazon doesn’t offer any consistent discounts for first responders. There are often first responder coupons available for Amazon though. If you’re looking for Amazon discounts, be sure to check for coupons. Signing up for a rewards program is a great way to keep track of discounts and make sure you don’t miss out on any.

Does Home Depot Give A First Responder Discount? 

Home Depot offers first responders a discount of 10% on any purchases over $500. On top of that discount, there are often additional coupons and discounts available, so you can end up making significant savings.

Does Walmart Offer A First Responder Discount? 

Walmart doesn’t offer a standing discount for first responders, but you can often find great coupon deals and discounts. There are also some great deals to be had even if you aren’t a first responder.

Are There First Responder Discounts For Hotels?  

Hotels are offering some amazing deals for first responders. Caesar’s is offering first responders a 30% discount on stays at Caesar’s Palace and a variety of its other hotels and properties to say thank you to the heroes of the pandemic. Radisson Hotels are offering a 20% discount and a free room upgrade to all emergency workers, police, firefighters, doctors, and nurses.

Where can I get a First Responder Discount? 

There are so many places that offer discounts to first responders. Most come in at somewhere between 10% -20% off. The list is really extensive, but there are some stores and products that offer exceptional discounts.

Samsung

Samsung offers a 30% discount to first responders and also included nurses and other medical professionals. You’ll need to verify your identity to qualify for the discount.

Asics

Asics is offering a 40% discount to first responders, including police, firefighters, and EMTs. The offer applies to all full-priced items on their online store. They have some other amazing discounts available to teachers and military personnel, and military first responders, so if you don’t qualify as a first responder, be sure to check if they have any other discounts that you qualify for.

University Of Chicago

Many colleges and universities offer some sort of discount to first responders. Whenever you’re applying for educational courses, it’s worth asking whether there are any discounts that might apply. The University of Chicago offers something special though. They offer full tuition scholarships to the children of active Chicago firefighters and police officers. The scholarship is only awarded to a small number of students each year. Children whose parents lost their lives in the line of duty are also eligible and may apply for the scholarship.

Heroes Vacation Club

Heroes Vacation Club offers first responders a whopping 60% off holiday packages and various holiday accommodations. What a great way to say thanks to first responders.

RVCA

RVCA is offering a 30% discount to first responders and healthcare workers to say thank you for their role in fighting the pandemic.

Helm Audio

Helm Audio offers veterans and frontline workers 50% off HELM True Wireless 5 Headphones. You’ll need to purchase them online and verify your ID through ID.me. The discount is really broad and applies to first responders, medical professionals, and teachers.

Robbins Brothers

Robbins Brothers offers up to $400 off on engagement rings. The discount is available to first responders and military personnel. This one isn’t available to medical professionals like doctors and nurses. You’ll need to present valid identification to qualify for this discount.

Are There First Responder Discounts For Cars? 

There are even discounts available on vehicles for first responders. Again, the list is extensive, but Dodge and Chrysler stand out. They both offer a $500 discount to first responders. They aren’t the only ones offering discounts though, so be sure to ask your car dealer if they have any discounts for first responders before you buy anything.

Apart from those savings, there are also some great savings available on car rentals. Many companies are offering deals, so check for discounts before you book.

Are First Responder Discounts Just For Covid? 

First responder discounts aren’t new and aren’t just for Covid. The pandemic has shone a spotlight on first responders and medical personnel. There are definitely more discounts and special pricing offers available during the pandemic, but many stores offer consistent discounts as their way of giving back and supporting law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency medical technicians.

Other Discounts

There are loads of great discounts available even if you aren’t a first responder or if you’re just looking to maximize on the savings you’re already eligible for as a first responder.

Sign Up For A Rewards Program

If you’re looking for more discounts or even discounts that aren’t exclusive to first responders, it’s a great idea to sign up for a rewards program.

Swagbucks is a great comprehensive rewards program that offers coupons, discounts, and promo codes across an extensive range of products and stores. It’s quick and easy to sign up for and you don’t need to jump through any verification hoops or check for eligibility. 

There are some great savings to be had, but Swagbucks also offers fun and easy ways to earn rewards. You can earn rewards for completing simple tasks like shopping online, watching videos, completing a survey, uploading receipts, or even completing a questionnaire. 

Rewards can be cashed out in a variety of ways. Some of the most popular options include Amazon gift cards and Paypal gift cards, which means you can use your rewards to buy items that you can’t find coupons for.

Time Your Purchases

Timing your purchases well is an excellent way to make the most of savings and discounts. Waiting for Black Friday Sales, end-of-season sales, and back-to-school sales is a great way to save. Many stores offer discount prices at these times of the year and there are loads of coupons. This article about Cabela’s Black Friday discounts and specials can give you a really good idea of the types of deals you can expect if you wait for the sales.

Check Before You Buy

With so many great savings and discounts available, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Life is busy for first responders and there isn’t always time to shop around for discounts and coupons even when money is tight. If you’re short on time, get into the habit of checking for first responder discounts or even just asking in-store before you make any purchases. Asking is quick and easy and the savings add up over time.

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