Wednesday, June 11, is Thank A First Responder Day. The national initiative recognises the commitment and sacrifices first responders and their families make every day to keep the community safe.

Now in its sixth year, Thank A First Responder Day, founded by Fortem Australia - a not-for-profit dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families - amplifies the voices of gratitude for the frontline workers and volunteers who give so much.

To mark the occasion, schools, community groups, councils, and businesses will host barbecues, morning teas, and other events to honour first responders.

Messages of gratitude will be shared across social media, and monuments around Australia will be illuminated in tribute. Australians are also organising fundraising activities, with proceeds supporting the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families provided by Fortem Australia.

The organisation’s CEO Michael Willing APM, a former Dubbo police officer who went on to become the state's Deputy Commissioner of Police until 2022 – says the day is an important time to acknowledge and reflect on the important work of those working on the frontlines of emergency response.

“We know that feeling appreciated and valued is important for our wellbeing,” Mr Willing said.

“The simple act of saying thanks for the challenging, traumatic and often dangerous work our first responders do will ensure these dedicated men and women know that they are recognised, appreciated, and valued by the communities they protect,” he explained.

Fortem Australia, the dedicated organisation that provides support to first responders and their families, indicates that one in three first responders experience high or very high psychological distress from trauma experienced on the job - just over one in eight among all adults in Australia.

The organisation says that police officers, paramedics, firefighters, emergency call operators, volunteers in state emergency, marine rescue, and search and rescue organisations, take on physically and emotionally gruelling responsibilities, witnessing traumatic events that can leave lasting psychological effects.

Of concern, post-traumatic stress affects between 10 per cent and 23.2 per cent of first responders, and nearly one in seven (15 per cent) are impacted by anxiety and depression, Fortem Australia says.

The organisation encouraged Australians to show their appreciation through 10 Days of Gratitude leading up to Thank a First Responder Day, to support the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families, and ensure they know just how valued they are.

“We know that being a first responder is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be confronting, traumatic and dangerous and can impact the mental health and wellbeing of both first responders and their families,” Mr Willing said.

“Saying thank you is such a small gesture, but it can have a great impact on the wellbeing of those who are the recipients of that gratitude. So, to all the first responders out there, thank you!” Mr Willing concluded.