All About the American First Responder Flags

First responders put their lives on the line as they are the first to react when an emergency occurs. So, how can we say thank you for their amazing service? Flying the first responder flag is one of the ways to show our appreciation and respect for those that sacrifice their lives to save ours. 

Therefore, let’s check out all the colors of the first responder flag, as well as some rules about how to display it with respect. 

Black and White Stripes 

The national first responder flag is mostly black and white, which is in stark contrast to the original flamboyant Old Glory. The reason for this would be that black represents chaos or the lack of order, whereas white is completely the opposite. The colors stand for the eternal battle of light and dark, so to say. 

And in that battle, certain colors, professions prevail to make this world a safer and better place. 

The Blue Line 

The blue line on the first responder flag represents not just the US Navy but is generally associated with the police force. To this end, the blue is to pay tribute to police officers, US Air Force members, FBI agents, sheriffs, public safety officials, university police, peace officers, US marshals, K-9 officers, TSA officers, and FEMA officials. 

Interestingly, the blue is also a symbol for all US secret service agents that usually remain unseen to us. While we can’t thank them in person, this is certainly a good way to show respect. 

The Red Line 

Red is the color of fire, so you may have already guessed it is to show appreciation for brave firefighters. Not only them, though, but also to all the US Marines, US Coast Guard members, the national guard, security guards, fire marshals, Red Cross members, fire commissioners, private investigators, ATF agents, state guards, and AmeriCorps. 

It’s worth noting that lifeguards, despite the fact a lot of them work near water. Here is an example of one of the first responder’s American flags. 

The Green Line 

As you may have already guessed, the fish and wildlife officers are appreciated in this way, as well as the environmental police. Besides them, the others that are honored in this way are the following: emergency medical technicians, paramedics, the US Army, military police, border patrol, animal control officers, AEMT members, emergency medical professionals, and park rangers. 

Court officers and diplomatic security belong to the courageous green group too. 

The White Line 

The color white represents the white coat, i.e., doctors and nurses, but also physician assistants, correction officers, wardens, dispatchers, coroners, probation officers, DEA, and ICE agents. 

White is not just for medical staff, but it is also the color of those who are working hard to keep us safe in the heights — civil air patrol and air traffic controllers. 

The Yellow Line 

What color do most security vehicles use in emergencies? Yellow! Therefore, this is the color representing security guards and tow truck drivers. In addition, the tow truck drivers have reflective stripes on the uniform, so this is another connection. 

The Gold Line 

Who is it to learn first about an emergency? The police officers and firefighters get valuable information via emergency dispatchers. They are the very first on the line (pun intended). The ability to remain calm while talking to the agitated and often panicked individuals and extract vital information for the emergency services is a quality that has saved plenty of lives. 

Thin Gray Line 

The thin gray line or the silver line is there to put focus on correction officers who serve us in very unfavorable conditions on a daily basis. Not due to the facility itself but the atmosphere, they are a part of daily life. Jailers, bailiffs, and parole officers are represented this way, and it is a relatively new first responder flag. 

One Line or Multiple Lines 

To show your admiration for first responders, you can fly a flag that has all the above, lines in multiple colors.  

Alternatively, the black and white Old Glory can have a single line right in the middle, symmetrically dividing the flag. The “Thin Blue Line” shows respect to all police and law enforcement officers. By the way, it is called the thin blue line, but the horizontal stripe is not one inch thinner or smaller compared to the rest of the stripes. 

The single thin line is placed in the middle of the flag, symbolically introducing order into the chaos, being a barrier between the crime and potential victims, for instance.    

The single thin line may also be divided in the middle, so you can have two colors in one line to respect two types of first responders. 

Carrot-Top Industries has a variety of first responder flags to choose from. All our thin red and blue lines flags are made in the U.S.A. For any questions, please feel free to reach out to us using our contact us form.