Consumer support and offer redemption
If a consumer experiences issues verifying their first responder status, direct them to the SheerID Verification Help Center for assistance or customer support routing. If a verified consumer encounters issues applying a discount or redeeming an offer, your customer support team must assist them directly.
Audience overview
SheerID first responder verification allows you to offer exclusive promotions to law enforcement personnel, firefighters, emergency medical services, and search and rescue teams. Instant database verification is available in the US. In all other supported regions, SheerID verifies eligibility through document review.
First responder verification varies by country. Review the supported consumer audience guide to confirm availability in your target regions.
First responder sub-segments
Private corporate emergency response teams and international aid organizations, such as the Red Cross, are not eligible for first responder programs unless licensed.
Best Practice: Be inclusive
Including all available sub-segments helps maximize offer reach and minimizes consumer support inquiries.
Firefighters
This segment includes both active career personnel and volunteer firefighters.
Police and law enforcement
This segment covers active law enforcement personnel and sworn officers:
- Canada: Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as local and regional law enforcement officers
- US: Civilian employees and sworn officers at local, state, and federal agencies. Eligible federal agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and US Marshals
- Support roles: 911 operators, emergency dispatchers, and corrections officers (including parole and probation officers)
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics can verify through active employment at an eligible institution or by providing an active EMT or paramedic license.
This segment also includes:
- Ambulance drivers
- Medical emergency pilots and flight crew members*
EMTs and paramedics are also eligible under the healthcare segment as other health workers. If you run both first responder and healthcare programs, route EMTs and paramedics through your first responder program for a clearer user experience. *Excludes flight attendants.
Search and rescue personnel
This segment includes paid employees and active volunteers for public or private search and rescue organizations. Eligible groups include localized Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) personnel, and the National Ski Patrol (NSP). Personnel holding EMT certification can also verify under the EMT segment.
Emergency management and dispatchers
Dispatchers for police, fire, or emergency medical services qualify under any first responder affiliation. Members of government emergency management response teams are also eligible across all affiliations.
Retired status and organization settings
Retiree eligibility
First responder programs focus on active personnel. SheerID document review rejects documentation indicating retired status.
Organization lookup options
First responder programs use an open organization list. When consumers enter their organization on the verification form, the typeahead menu displays matching institutions. If a user cannot locate their organization, they can enter its name manually to proceed.
Verification methods
You can verify first responders using authoritative data sources in the US and document review in other supported locales. Read more about verification methods here.
Learn more about supporting first responders in the Center of Excellence.