ON Saturday, September 12, Surrey MLAs Amna Shah and Garry Begg joined first responders, community leaders and local families at the Dwivedi Foundation’s annual First Responders Gala and Awards Night in Surrey, celebrating the courage, dedication and service of frontline professionals from across British Columbia.
The gala brought together members of police, fire, ambulance and emergency services for an evening dedicated to recognizing the individuals who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. Shah, MLA for Surrey City Centre, and Begg, MLA for Surrey-Guildford, participated in the evening’s award presentations, honouring first responders whose commitment and contributions have made a significant impact on public safety and community well-being.
The event has become an important annual tradition, providing an opportunity to acknowledge those who routinely work in demanding and often dangerous circumstances to protect and assist others. Through its awards program, the Dwivedi Foundation recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, professionalism, and service beyond the normal scope of duty. Recipients and nominees are evaluated on qualities including integrity, dedication to public service, leadership in their field and positive contributions to the people and communities they serve.
For Shah and Begg, participating in the awards presentations offered a chance to publicly thank first responders for their service and highlight the vital role they play not only in Surrey but throughout British Columbia. Their presence underscored the strong relationship between elected officials and the frontline professionals who are often the first to respond during emergencies and times of need.
While the evening celebrated outstanding achievements in public safety, it also emphasized a message that remains central to the foundation’s work: awareness and support for those living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First responders regularly encounter traumatic and high-stress situations throughout their careers, and the Dwivedi Foundation has made reducing stigma around mental health a key part of its mission.
Established in 2018, the foundation is dedicated to recognizing the service of first responders while advocating for greater understanding of the mental health challenges many frontline workers face. Its goal is to ensure that first responders are not only celebrated for their contributions but also supported in their own health and well-being. The foundation envisions a future in which seeking help for mental health concerns is met with compassion and dignity rather than stigma.
Beyond recognition and awareness, the organization also invests in the future of public safety careers through educational scholarships. These scholarships support students pursuing careers in policing, firefighting, paramedicine and other related fields, encouraging the next generation of community-minded professionals to enter public service.
The gala also reflects the foundation’s partnership with the Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Ribbon Society, an organization dedicated to honouring fallen police and peace officers while supporting their families. Together, the partnership extends the event’s impact beyond a single evening, recognizing current first responders, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice, promoting mental health awareness and encouraging future leaders in public safety.
For the Surrey community, where police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency personnel play an integral role in daily life, the gala provided a meaningful opportunity to express gratitude. Through the participation of Shah and Begg in the awards presentations, the event also offered a public platform to recognize the people behind the uniforms and acknowledge the personal sacrifices that often accompany a career in emergency and public safety services.
The Dwivedi Foundation’s 2026 First Responders Gala served as both a celebration and a reminder that behind every emergency response is an individual who has chosen to serve others. Their commitment, resilience and dedication continue to strengthen communities across British Columbia, making them deserving of ongoing recognition, support and appreciation from the people they protect.
(Submitted)
