First Responder Nomination Form Submission Deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026 at 5pm
Honorees Notified By: Friday, August 7, 2026
First Responders Dinner Event: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Thank you for submitting a first responders nomination for OCBC’s 2026 First Responders Dinner. There is no fee associated with this nomination. We are looking forward to recognizing the courageous first responders and frontline professionals who protect and serve the businesses, residents and visitors of Orange County. The role of first responder spans across many industries. Some examples of first responders include: firefighters, police officers, health care workers, emergency room personnel, lifeguards, police and fire dispatchers, paramedics, DA’s office personnel, CSIs, investigators, and of course more.

All submissions must be completed online through this form. Submissions will not be accepted via email, Word Doc, PDF, etc. If you would like a downloadable, PDF version of this form to assist in gathering the information needed, please click HERE.

Selection Committee Criteria:

A selection committee will be reviewing the nominations and selecting the honorees. The selection committee is looking for entries that provide a story relating to a specific incident. They are looking for entries that include the following:

• Orange County First Responders
• Provide a powerful story relating to a specific incident that conveys the risk first responders take and their vital importance to keeping our community healthy and safe.
• Demonstrate a first responder or group of first responders going above and beyond the call of duty in an extreme and gripping circumstance.
• Incident occurred between approximately June 2025 – July 2026. 

Honorees will be notified by August 7, 2026. Once notified, we request that honoree information be kept private and internal within your organization until after OCBC’s First Responders Dinner concludes on September 16. We request all honorees be available for the evening of OCBC’s First Responders Dinner at The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel in Huntington Beach on September 16, 2026 between 6-8pm. During the event, the honoree’s story will be read aloud, and then the honoree(s) will be awarded a plaque on stage and take a quick photograph with their CEO or immediate supervisor.

Please fill out all the questions listed below. Nominations will close July 13, 2026 at 5pm. Please contact OCBC Vice President, Events & Special Projects Lauren Martin, lmartin@ocbc.org, with any questions.