During these trying times, it’s important to know that you are not alone. You have a community of people behind you, encouraging and fighting for you.
Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals are leading the fight on the frontlines against COVID-19, stepping up heroically in the face of incredibly long hours, heartbreaking care cases, and increased personal risk. Peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency personnel are on the frontlines risking their own lives to keep our communities safe and in working order during this public health crisis. While teachers, school administrators, and education support professionals have completely changed their teaching strategies to accommodate students so they can stay safe at home and finish out the rest of the school year virtually.
We have never been more thankful for our everyday heroes than we are right now.
The coronavirus pandemic has turned our daily lives upside down, but when we come together as a community- as neighbors, as family, as friends -we are unstoppable. We CAN get through this and we WILL. Together we CAN.
We’d like to extend an extra special thanks to the Firefighters, Police Officers, Teachers, and Nurses who took the time to participate in our Together We CAN video. It is a privilege to hear about your daily experiences throughout the pandemic, firsthand. We appreciate your courage and dedication to helping keep us safe now, more than ever. Thank you.
This video is brought to you by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com. Be sure to check out our Heroes series at https://mycalcas.com/leoheroesvideo/ or visit California Casualty’s YouTube Channel.
The Heroes Video Series was filmed and produced by Wide Awake Films. If you’re not already following California Casualty, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn. At California Casualty, our mission is to provide trusted, personalized auto and home insurance protection. exclusively for educators, law enforcement, nurses and firefighters—those who protect, strengthen and enhance the quality of life in American communities.
This month, communities across the nation will celebrate, honor, and thank peace officers for their service and sacrifice. National Police Week is May 10 – 16 and Peace Officer Memorial Day is May 15; and although most events will be virtual, the spirit of gratitude is sure to be stronger than ever.
During these days of COVID-19, peace officers are on the front lines all day, every day. They are keeping communities safe, patrolling and responding to emergencies, all while covering for colleagues who’ve fallen sick, risking infection personally and oftentimes working overtime or without PPE.
Their heroism on the coronavirus front lines is plenty to celebrate—but it’s worth remembering (and celebrating) all the ways they serve and protect us, and the reason they joined the force in the first place.
Call of Duty
The motto of the Minneapolis Police Department is “To Protect with Courage, To Serve with Compassion.” The NYPD’s is “Fidelis ad Mortem (Faithful unto death).” In Los Angeles, the LAPD’s is “To Protect and to Serve,” and in Texas, the Houston Police Department’s is “Order through law, justice with mercy.”
These mottos speak to the sense of duty that draws these everyday heroes to law enforcement. It’s a profession that demands integrity, honor, intelligence, and a commitment to justice and fairness—and perhaps more importantly, a call to serve a community greater than themselves.
What Do Peace Officers Do?
In simplest terms, their job is to fight and prevent crime, as well as to maintain law and order. However, their duties span a range of responsibilities, including:
Conducting patrol duties on foot or by car, bicycle or motorcycle
Responding to calls to assist at incidents such as criminal activity, domestic disputes, fires, and public disorder
Attending collision scenes, vehicle checkpoints and vehicle offenses
Saving lives
Delivering death and hospital messages to families
Conducting initial investigations, gathering evidence, taking statements and conducting arrests
Searching personal property, individuals, vehicles, premises, and land
Preparing crime reports and presenting case files to senior officers
Attending and giving evidence in court and at other hearings
Building and maintaining community relations, including advice and support in areas such as crime prevention and personal safety
Serving at All Levels
Officers may also choose to work in specialized bureaus or divisions, including the State Troopers, Crimes Against Children, Crimes Against the Elderly, Sheriff Deputies, SWAT, Narcotics, Patrol Officers, Dispatchers and more.
Special law enforcement units exist within local/county agencies, state agencies, and at the federal level. From local police and highway patrol to the FBI, Department of the Coast Guard, and U.S. Secret Service, law enforcement officers serve at every level of government.
In Remembrance
With duty comes risk, and unfortunately every year we learn of those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. Every May 15, for Peace Officers Memorial Day, flags are flown at half-mast as the nation pays tribute to those who’ve fallen. You can join the observance by using #PeaceOfficersMemorialDay on social media and sharing your thanks.
Thank an Officer
Besides thanking an officer in person (from 6+ feet away), there are a number of ways you can thank and help them—read our tips here.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency personnel are the American heroes on the frontlines of keeping our communities safe and in working order during this public health crisis.
They are working daily to ensure public safety, enforce laws, arrive first to emergencies, and provide reassurance to anxious communities. True to their sworn duty, they are stepping up to do what’s needed. Now is the time for the rest of us to step up and support them.
As cities and communities put plans in place to open their doors, here are 5 ways you can help your first responders.
Keep Your Distance
Across the country, various forms of shelter-in-place and social distancing orders will slowly be lifted. The basic idea of the orders was to limit exposure to others and ultimately, limit the spread of coronavirus infections. As life begins to return to it’s new “normal” it is important to remember to continue to keep your distance when out in public and avoid going out if you feel you are getting sick. By continuing to socially distance yourself in public and taking the necessary precautionary measures (like wearing a mask), you will help continue to slow the spread and you’ll also relieve officers’ time and energy in enforcement.
Don’t Abuse 9-1-1
Only call 9-1-1 if you, someone else, or property is in immediate danger. True emergencies include medical emergencies, violent crime, accidents, downed power lines, etc. Calls that are not actual emergencies overload the 9-1-1 system. That’s already an existing problem, and authorities worry it will escalate if the public health crisis continues, or gets worse, as cities begin to open their doors. If you have concerns about coronavirus symptoms that are not a medical emergency, contact your doctor or advice nurse.
Be Safe
Now is not the time for outdoor enthusiasts to put themselves in harm’s way by going rock climbing or wilderness hiking—even if it’s solo. Emergency evacuations and rescue cost resources and manpower. There’ll be time for adventures later; for now, follow the laws and be safe. Observe the speed limit, drive carefully, and be fire- and safety-conscious around your home. In short, remember that any emergency you create for first responders will strain their limited resources.
Call It In
If you need to report a non-emergency crime, file a police report, or add to an existing report, avoid going to the police station in person. Instead, submit your information online or over the phone. Avoiding walk-ins limit exposure risk to their ranks.
Be a Good Neighbor
Many of us know first responders and police officers personally. Whether they’re in your family, friend circle, or neighborhood, make a point to reach out and check-in. See if there’s anything you can do for them or their families. This could be something like dropping off food at the station, walking their dog, or just simply being someone to talk to. They have been and will continue to be overwhelmed—physically, mentally, and emotionally until this pandemic has resolved completely. Let them know you’re there for them.
Life will return back to normal, but to keep our first responder and healthcare systems from getting overwhelmed, it is important to remain vigilant on doing what we can to stay healthy and continue stopping the spread.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Firefighters, Police Officers, and EMTs put their lives on the line every day, while also finding time to serve their communities. Whether they are saving lives by running into burning buildings, comforting the scared when tragedy strikes, or just simply having fun in their community like joining in on a pick-up basketball game around or turning a fire hydrant into a sprinkler for a group of kids in the summer; they deserve to be recognized.
So, we have rounded up a list of companies that offer discounts to first responders as a, “thank you” to these brave men and women for what they do on the job and in their communities every single day.
Each store is linked for you convenience, just click on the stores name, and it will direct you to their discount page!
Food
Steak ‘n Shake: offers 20% off to first responders when in uniform
Firehouse Subs: Firefighters get a free drink with every meal
El Pollo Loco: offers a 15% discount to first responders with proof of employment
Chipotle: offers discounts to first responders with ID, however the amount is dependent upon the location. Please check with your local Chipotle.
*Disclaimer: be sure to check that these discounts apply at your local restaurant*
Clothing
NFLShop.com: offers 15% off an online purchase and free shipping for first responders with ID
MLB.com Shop: offers 15% off for first responders with ID
NHL.com Shop: offers 15% off discount for first responders verified through ID.me
OakleySI.com:offers up to 50% off merchandise, when you register for an account with your first responder ID
Yeti: offers first responder discounts when you sign up with the program ID.me with your ID. Over 400 other brands (like Costco, Vera Bradley, AudioBooks.com, Sunglass Hut, Tervis, and Reebok) have discounts for military and first responders on ID.me, and sign up is free!
Under Armour: offers 10% off to first responders with ID
Gerber Gear: offers first responders exclusive pricing through their Pro Program
Jockey: offers 10% off to first responders with ID
Lululemon: offers 25% off to first responders with ID
Frank and Oak: offers 10% off to first responders with ID
Columbia: offers exclusive discounts to members of government agencies that work outdoors when you sign up for their Professional Purchase Program
GOVX: membership offered to all first responders, which will go you 65% off hundreds of retail brands, discounted sports/concert tickets, and even discounted deals travel packages, hotels, amusement parks, and rental cars
Electronics & More
Apple: offers government employees discounts on Mac, IOS devices, and 3rd party products
Sprint: offers up to 25% off monthly service plans for first responders
Verizon: offers 15% off eligible plans and 25% off online accessories for first responders
AT&T: offers 25% off unlimited plans and $15 off monthly TV/Internet rates to active first responders
GameStop: offers 10% off at select outlets with first responder badge or ID
Carid: offers discount to all first responders with a first responder ID
Glock: offer special first responder discounts exclusively through its Blue Label Program
Shooter’s Pro Shop: offers a 10% off discount to first responders when they create and a Shooter’s account
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.
In Episode 1, you got to see what happened when Giselle and Jayden got picked up by Law Enforcement and got a glimpse of the bravery and heroism it takes to protect the community while learning that behind the badge are moms, dads, brothers, sisters…regular people who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the world we live in.
During Episode 2, Jayden and Giselle get brought in to the station. Check out what happens in the interrogation room and in the bomb and arson unit. Plus, find out who gets the cuffs in the end!
See what happens when Giselle and Jayden spend a day with Law Enforcement and get a glimpse of the bravery and heroism it takes to protect the community while learning that behind the badge are moms, dads, brothers, sisters…regular people who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the world we live in. police heroes
