Skip to main content

Official website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    PA Emergency Management Agency

    Nominate Someone for the Keystone First Responder Award

    The Keystone First Responder Award honors exemplary first responders in Pennsylvania who lost their life or sustained a career-ending injury in the line of duty.

    Nomination Form
    Glass awards lined up in a row. One award in focus reads: 2024 Keystone First Responder Award. Presented to the family of Trooper Martin F. Mack III.

    Who Is Eligible?

    Pennsylvania first responders who sustained career-ending injuries or lost their lives while on duty.

    First responders can include:

    • Emergency medical service providers, firefighters, or members of a rescue company
    • Peace officers
    • 911 dispatchers
    • Coroners or medical examiners responding in an official capacity to an emergency
    • Corrections officers
    • Federal law enforcement officers
    • County or local emergency management coordinators

    Time spent at the scene and travel to and from the scene are included as time spent in the line of duty.

    For 911 dispatchers, suffering a fatal heart attack or stroke on duty or not later than 24 hours after working or in a training/exercise also counts as time spent in the line of duty.

    Eligibility period: July 7, 2024, through July 7, 2025.

    Nomination Period

    Nominations can be made by the head or executive of the organization where the nominee worked or was a member. Nominations opened on July 18.

    Contact Us

    Need help with your nomination or have a question? We're here to help!

    Contact Us

    Nomination Form

    Complete the form below to nominate someone for a 2025 Keystone First Responder Award. Nominations must be made by the head or executive officer of the entity or agency where the first responder was a member or employee.

    What Happens After I Nominate Someone?

    After the nomination deadline has passed, all nominations will be reviewed by a committee. The agency will then make its recommendations to Governor Josh Shapiro, who will honor awardees in September.

    Who Reviews Nominations?

    The nominations are reviewed by a committee established by Pennsylvania Act 11. 

    Members include the:

    • State fire commissioner
    • Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
    • Director of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services within the Department of Health
    • Secretary of General Services
    • Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police
    • Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police
    • President of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association
    • Director of the Pennsylvania National Emergency Number Association
    • Director of the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association
    • President of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association