Saying thank you on National First Responders Day

Oct 29, 2026

Group photo of Bellevue Fire Department in Pennsylvania

Today is National First Responders Day, and Norfolk Southern employees celebrated by hosting luncheons with the Bellevue Fire Department in Pennsylvania, Lorain Fire Department in Ohio, and Moody Fire Department in Alabama. Each event was a way to say “thank you” to local first responders and celebrate each department’s 2026 Safety First grant.

Top Takeaway

Norfolk Southern recognized National First Responders Day by bringing Team NS employees together with 2026 Safety First grant recipients in the Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Birmingham areas.

Showing up for local first responders

The luncheons gave Team NS employees an opportunity to connect directly with the departments that serve communities along our network. Through the Safety First Grant program, NS provided funding to emergency response organizations to support equipment, training, and other resources that help them respond when their communities need them most.

In the Pittsburgh area, NS ambassadors Camille Medwinter and Kelly Keil joined members of the Bellevue Fire Department to recognize their service and celebrate the department's $12,000 Safety First grant, which helped purchase an air monitor and thermal imaging camera for one of the department's fire engines. The new equipment will strengthen crews' ability to investigate hazardous situations and better serve residents during emergency responses. The department received a commemorative donation certificate during the luncheon after previously receiving its grant check.

Near Cleveland, NS Community Ambassadors spent time with members of the Lorain Fire Department. The department received a $15,000 Safety First grant to support its Safety Forces Protection Initiative, helping train additional firefighters as rescue swimmers and purchase equipment that will strengthen water rescue capabilities on Lake Erie. The grant will help improve emergency response following the closure of the area's U.S. Coast Guard station. During the luncheon, the department received both a ceremonial check and donation certificate.

A special connection in Birmingham

The celebration with Moody Fire Department brought one Team NS employee back to a department and community he knows well.

Mark Goin, who graduated from Moody High School and previously served as a volunteer firefighter with Moody Fire Department, returned to his hometown alongside Team NS employees Matthew Wade, Paul Lawson, and Christopher Slasinski to present the department with its $11,400 Safety First grant. The funding will expand the department's joint Fire and Police Public Safety Drone Team by adding an enterprise drone, rapid charging systems, additional batteries, and specialized speaker and spotlight modules to support search and rescue, fire response, hazardous materials incidents, disaster response, and other public safety operations. The department received both a ceremonial check and donation certificate during the luncheon.

For Goin, the luncheon brought together his personal connection to the department and Norfolk Southern’s ongoing support for the first responders serving the Moody community.

Group photo of Moody Fire Department celebration in Alabama

What we’re saying

“We want to say thank you to every first responder on National First Responders Day. This observance gives us an opportunity to recognize the people who step up for their communities every day and keep them safe. We’re proud to support them through our Safety First grants and our ongoing work with local departments.”- Kristin Wong, Director NS Foundation and Community Impact

The big picture

NS’ work with first responders continues throughout the year. Through Safety First grants, training, emergency preparedness, and direct collaboration with local departments, NS works to build relationships before an emergency happens.

Through its Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program, Norfolk Southern also provides free, hands-on training aboard its Safety Train, helping first responders become familiar with railroad equipment, hazardous materials response and emergency procedures.

From improving hazardous materials response and expanding water rescue capabilities to strengthening drone-assisted emergency operations, this year's grants help local departments respond more effectively when their communities need them most.

Since launching the Safety First Grant program, NS has awarded nearly $7 million to 488 first responder organizations, strengthening emergency preparedness and public safety across its network.

Learn more about Norfolk Southern’s first responders training and grant programs.