While police, fire, and EMS are among the most visible first responders, public works professionals are often the first on the scene and the last to leave during emergencies—serving as the silent arm of public safety. They help protect critical infrastructure, support emergency response operations, maintain access to essential services, and lead recovery efforts that help communities return to normal after disasters.
As part of APWA’s commitment to being the voice of public works, APWA created the Public Works First Responder symbol, a unifying mark that recognizes the dedication, professionalism, and critical contributions of public works personnel across North America. The symbol serves as a visible reminder that public works professionals are on the front lines before, during, and after emergencies, helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises.
Through advocacy, education, and strategic outreach, APWA with support from chapters and branches is working to strengthen recognition of Public Works First Responders, amplify their contributions, and advance understanding of their essential role in building safer, more resilient communities.
Recognize Public Works Professionals as First Responders
Use our toolkit to celebrate National First Responders Day on October 28.
Listen to the Public Works Radio podcast episode on the Public Works First Responders movement.
Check out the “Public Works Professionals Are First Responders”(opens in new tab) flyer.
Show your support with merchandise and apparel from the APWA Store(opens in new tab).
How Your Chapter Can Raise Awareness
- Establish a chapter-level public works awareness committee, plan to meet not only during gray skies but during times of relative calm.
- Arrange networking sessions with public works professionals to share ideas, experiences, and public works first responder success stories.
- Invite elected officials, department heads, and community officials to events. Schedule tours/open house events to share what you do and why it is so crucial to your communities.
- Put together a short presentation/video to share with elected officials at the local, county, state, and federal levels highlighting the vital role public works professionals perform as first responders.
- Read how Addison, Texas, formally recognized public works as first responders(opens in new tab). Use the town's official resolution(opens in new tab) as a guide to recognize public works where you live.
- Download our customizable email(opens in new tab) and send it to elected officials to ask them to support action at the state, city, or county level.
Graphics
How to Use the Public Works First Responder Symbol
The use of this symbol to attempt to gain access to areas or situations not designated for public works is strongly discouraged.
- Dimensions: 2:1 (rectangular) or 1:1 (square) aspect ratio.
- Colors:
- Black: #000000, Pantone 6 C
- Orange: #e86724, Pantone 1585 C
- White: #f3f0f0
- Font: Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold
Public Works First Responder
Premiers Intervenants Travaux Publics
History and Milestones
- In 2003, President George W. Bush issued Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8) officially recognizing public works as first responders.
- In 2010, Mississippi, under House Bill (HB) 664, recognized public works professionals as first responders.
- In 2017, the APWA Board of Directors approved the adoption of a national “Public Works First Responder” symbol for use throughout North America to identify public works personnel and acknowledge their federally mandated role as first responders.
- In 2019, the US Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 15 (S.Con.Res.15), “Expressing support for the designation of October 28, 2019, as Honoring the Nation’s First Responders Day.” Public works is specifically included.
- In 2022 New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed into law SB325, formally recognizing public works employees as first responders.
- In 2022, New Hampshire passed HB 536, “An Act relative to death benefits for public works employees killed in the line of duty, and relative to workers’ compensation offsets for certain retirement system benefits.”
- Public works is often considered “the silent arm of public safety," usually without fanfare. Public works professionals are often the first on scene and the last to leave the scenes of disasters—no matter the peril.
- The National Incident Management System (NIMS) lists public works alongside police, fire, and public.