Honoring those who serve on National First Responders Day

Oct 29, 2025
Brooklyn, Ohio FD and NS railroaders standing beside a fire truck

Members of the Brooklyn, Ohio, Fire Department stand with NS railroaders by one of their fire trucks at a First Responders Appreciation Day event.

 

First responders play an essential role in keeping communities safe, and Norfolk Southern is proud to support their work year-round through grants, training, and partnerships. To mark National First Responders Day, we hosted appreciation events for fire departments across our network in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Birmingham, Alabama, all of which received Safety First Grants this year. These gatherings recognized their commitment to community safety and highlighted the importance of partnership in emergency preparedness.

 

Local impact

  • Blawnox-Glenover Volunteer Fire Department – Pennsylvania: The department gathered for dinner with NS to celebrate its $10,000 grant, which funded new safety and stabilization equipment for accident responses.
  • City of Brooklyn Fire Department – Ohio: Firefighters enjoyed lunch provided by NS in recognition of a $15,000 grant to fund a UTV for emergency response.
  • Irondale Fire Department – Alabama: Members of the department came together with NS over lunch to celebrate a $15,000 grant for new rescue helmets, boots, radios, and harnesses used in disaster response.

 

Volunteer fire captain Rick Lee

Blawnox Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Richard (Rick) Lee flanks two NS-carved pumpkins. Lee’s daughter, Amber, carved them in honor of the First Responders Appreciation Day event held near Pittsburgh.

 

Irondale FD and Norfolk Southern in front of fire engine

The Irondale, Alabama, Fire Department and Norfolk Southern gather at a First Responders Appreciation Day event.

 

How we support first responders across our network

  • Through our Safety First Grant Program, we provide funding to organizations that deliver safety services or promote safe behavior.
  • Our Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program and Safety Train offer free, hands-on training to first responders year-round.
  • Since 2015, more than 51,000 first responders have been trained through the OAR program, helping ensure local teams are ready to respond to rail-related incidents.

 

What they’re saying

 

“Our goal is always to be ready for whatever comes our way. Support like this strengthens that readiness by giving our team access to better tools and technology. It reinforces our commitment to keeping our community safe and allows us to focus on helping people.”– Chief Jeff Stephens, Blawnox-Glenover Volunteer Fire Company

 

“This grant helps us respond faster and more effectively when emergencies happen. It’s an investment in the tools we rely on to keep our neighbors safe and protect the people we’re sworn to serve. Every piece of equipment, every bit of preparation, helps ensure we can do our jobs when it matters most.” – Chief Kevin Paul, Brooklyn Fire Department

 

“Safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re proud to stand alongside the first responders who protect our communities every day. Through the Safety First grants and free training of first responders, we’re helping strengthen preparedness across our network.” – Kristin Wong, Director of the NS Foundation and Community Impact

 

 

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