Nearly every time you engage a first responder it is because something unexpected has happened. Whether calling police, fire, or EMTs, something out of our control has occurred and we need help beyond what we are capable of giving. With this attitude, we try to avoid contact with first responders unless absolutely necessary. First responders are public servants, but are often an under recognized and underutilized resource in the care team. They encounter people with dementia in a variety of ways through the initiation of friends and family, or by happenstance. Regardless of the how, the why is important to consider because, as with most things with dementia, forethought can prevent an escalation or out of control situation. Read more for some of the most common scenarios in which first responders can be helpful.