Who are commonly referred to as "co-responders" in a firefighting context?

In the context of firefighting, "co-responders" typically refer to personnel who work alongside emergency services to provide support beyond traditional emergency response. This often includes licensed clinical social workers, who can address mental health issues, social services needs, and crisis intervention during emergency calls. Their role complements that of emergency responders by tackling the psychological and social aspects of incidents, helping individuals who may be experiencing emotional distress or require additional resources.

While emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and firefighters are critical components of the emergency response system, they primarily focus on medical care and fire suppression. Their expertise is essential for immediate physical health needs and safety during emergencies, but they do not typically engage in the ongoing support or therapeutic intervention that licensed clinical social workers can provide. Thus, when referring to "co-responders," it is the licensed clinical social workers who fit this role by partnering with primary emergency services to address the broader context of community health and wellness.