First responder jobs require bravery and selflessness. National First Responders Day may not be until October 28th this year, but it’s never too soon to honor the first responders in your life.
With origins in military tradition, challenge coins are now a big part of first responder culture. When is the appropriate time to give a first responder a challenge or commemorative coin? What do these coins represent?
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the role of coins in first responder jobs.
Honor Courage and Dedication
Whether you have EMTs in your life or members of the fire department, it’s important to recognize how much courage and dedication their jobs take. Challenge coins, first and foremost, honor the sacrifice first responders make each day.
Challenge coins often have work mottos and unit-specific numbers or logos on them. Being given a challenge coin is just as much an honor to the person who receives it.
Recognize Achievements
Commemorative coins reflect a more specific experience or event than a typical challenge coin. Examples include:
- Reaching a significant service anniversary (e.g., one year, five years, ten years, etc)
- Expanding the team or opening a new location (e.g., a new firehouse)
- Working together on a significant case
- Receiving a promotion or change of command
You can give first responders commemorative coins at ceremonies and celebrations. They serve as mementos of some of the most important moments in a first responder’s career.
Boost Morale and Comradery
As we mentioned already, challenge coins tend to include design elements that honor a first responder’s unit or team. When you give an entire unit a challenge coin, you make them feel more united.
Morale and comradery are essential to first responders. In fast-paced or dangerous situations, teams need to know that they can trust each other. Keeping morale high can stave off burnout and ensure that each member feels prepared and confident.
Uphold Traditions
As the custom goes, first responders should carry their challenge coin on their person. If someone in the unit poses a “challenge,” everyone in the room must show their challenge coin. Anyone who doesn’t have theirs has to buy a meal or drink for everyone else.
Companies like challengecoins4less.com understand the long history behind challenge coins. They can help you create custom designs that align with the traditional look and feel of a first responder challenge coin.
Use Challenge Coins to Celebrate First Responder Jobs
First responder jobs are some of the toughest in the world and it’s important that we make first responders feel appreciated. Challenge and commemorative coins offer a great opportunity to honor the first responders in your life. Whether you’re commemorating a specific milestone or making challenge coins for an entire unit, partner with an experienced company to help design and print your coins.
Are you looking for more ways to celebrate achievements in life? We share tips, tricks, and lifestyle hacks that can make every day worth celebrating. Take a look around to get inspired.