Gov. Whitmer Proclaims October 28 as First Responders' Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
October 28, 2022 
Contact: press@michigan.gov   

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring October 28th as First Responders’ Day in Michigan. To ensure those who selflessly serve and protect communities across the state have what they need to do their jobs, this year’s budget delivers $1.6 billion to local units of government in revenue sharing, nearly half of which goes toward funding local police, fire, other first responders, and the justice system. This is the most revenue sharing funding for local cities, townships, villages, and counties since 2001. 

“As a mom and a former prosecutor, keeping our communities safe is a top priority for me,” said Governor Whitmer. “On First Responders’ Day, we honor our fellow Michiganders who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. Since taking office, we have worked across the aisle to make sure that our state supports the police officers, firefighters, medical personnel, and other first responders who work hard every day to our communities safe. That’s why we delivered the most funding in at least 20 years to local cities, villages, townships, and counties, nearly half of which goes directly towards supporting first responders. Let’s keep working together to build a state where every Michigander feels safe. 

First responders include nurses, paramedics, emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, police offices, 911 dispatchers, search and rescue teams, and members of other organizations in the public safety sector. Michigan’s highly-trained first responders risk their lives each day to make our communities safer.  

“Michigan's firefighters put their lives on the line every day to serve our communities and today I am especially proud to stand with the individuals who selflessly work to make Michigan a better, safer place," said Matt Sahr, President of Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union. “We deeply appreciate Governor Whitmer for proclaiming this important day to honor first responders across the state.” 

To ensure first responders who protect and serve their communities have the support they need, the balanced, bipartisan budget Governor Whitmer signed in July delivers $1.6 billion in revenue sharing to local governments across the state. These investments will offer more resources to help cities, villages, townships, and counties to deliver critical services and invest in first responders. Approximately 50% of revenue sharing funds are used by local municipalities to support police agencies, fire departments and public safety initiatives across the state.