NEW YORK — Comedian and longtime first responder advocate Jon Stewart took the stage in Times Square to host the First Responders Children’s Foundation’s (FRCF) fifth annual National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes.
The Oct. 28 ceremony celebrated first responders from across the country — including firefighters, EMS providers, 911 dispatchers, law enforcement officers and volunteers — for their acts of bravery and service. This year’s event also recognized the collective response of agencies that battled the Los Angeles-area wildfires.
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“First Responders Children’s Foundation is proud to shine a spotlight on heroes from across the country on a world stage,” said Jillian Crane, FRCF president and CEO. “Having Mr. Stewart lead this year’s ceremony made it even more meaningful. His advocacy for those battling 9/11-related illnesses has shown his unwavering commitment to our nation’s first responders.”
Stewart honors first responders’ courage and compassion
Stewart, who has spent years advocating for the first responder community, delivered remarks highlighting their courage and compassion.
“It’s an honor to stand side-by-side with the very heroes who keep us safe every day. First responders answer chaos with courage and compassion,” Stewart said ahead of the ceremony. “If lending my voice helps amplify that, I’m in. I want to thank the First Responders Children’s Foundation for giving these heroes a stage worthy of the work they do, and I’m excited to recognize their achievements.”
Stewart’s involvement in the event underscored his long-standing support for first responders. In 2019, he testified before Congress to help secure permanent funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and has continued to use his platform to honor and assist those who serve.
2025 Roll Call of Heroes honorees
The 2025 Roll Call of Heroes recognized individuals for extraordinary service and bravery:
- 911 Dispatch: Kayla Gillette Patten, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (Fla.) – Coordinated a multi-hour police response during a mental health crisis involving gunfire.
- Fire: Firefighter/Paramedic Josh Jarzab, Twinsburg Fire Department (Ohio) – Rescued an 8-month-old baby from a basement fire.
- Local Law Enforcement: Officer Cameron Price, Lee’s Summit Police Department (Mo.) – Stopped an assault in progress, protecting a woman and her two children.
- Federal Law Enforcement: Group Supervisor Jason Franks, DEA New York Division – Led major operations that seized more than 3,000 kilos of cocaine and coordinated the extradition of cartel leaders.
- Volunteer Fire: Firefighter Dusty Block, Mountain Home Volunteer Fire Department (Texas) – Helped save 30 people and aided over 150 others during flood rescues on July 4.
- Junior First Responder: Firefighter Jiya Jadhav, New Hyde Park Fire Department (N.Y.) – Recognized as the 2025 National Junior Firefighter of the Year.
- Emergency Medical Services: EMS Sergeant Aaron Dossey, Fern Creek Fire Department, (Ky.) - Off duty and on vacation, Dossey rescued an unresponsive child at a waterpark with CPR.
New York City heroes recognized
Several New York City first responders were honored for their life-saving actions:
- FDNY: Firefighter Nick Schneider — Saved an unconscious woman from subway tracks while off duty.
- NYPD: Officer Rich Wong — Returned fire and stopped an armed suspect after being shot in the leg.
- MTA Police: Officers Scott Gulick and Christopher Capozzoli — Disarmed a man wielding a knife on a train platform, saving a stabbing victim’s life.
Honoring the Los Angeles wildfire response
A special Natural Disaster Response award was presented to recognize the inter-agency teams that responded to the Los Angeles wildfires. Honorees represented multiple departments, including:
- Officer Jonathan Tom, Los Angeles Police Department
- Fire Captain Joshua Swaney, Los Angeles County Fire Department
- Chief Deputy Joseph Everett, Los Angeles Fire Department
- Commander Jabari Williams, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
A celebration of service
The National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes took place in Duffy Square at the heart of Times Square. The free, public event drew crowds of onlookers and was livestreamed for audiences nationwide.
